Rafael Nadal by Cynthia Lum/ WireImage.com
Rafael Nadal's epic five-set victory over Roger Federer in Sunday's Wimbledon men's singles final was a big winner for NBC. The four-hour, 48-minute match scored a 4.6 overnight rating, the highest since 2000. Rain delays dragged the match on into darkness, with Nadal finally pulling out the win, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 at 9:15 pm local time in London (4:15 pm/ET). Said NBC's John McEnroe, "This has got to be the greatest match we've ever seen. Ever."
Federer, who called this, "probably my hardest loss, by far," was aiming to win a fifth sixth straight Wimbledon title. Nadal, the first Spaniard to win the London event since 1966, picked up his fifth Grand Slam title and continued his recent dominance over his Swiss rival. Their career record is now 12-6, in favor of Nadal.
UPDATE: In the U.K. the match averaged 7.4 million viewers during BBC1's eight-hour telecast, with a peak of 12.7 million as the match drew to a close.
UPDATE No. 2: Final numbers are in, and NBC drew 5.2 million viewers for the match, the most since 5.7 tuned in in 2000, when Pete Sampras beat Patrick Rafter.
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Edited by Rich Sands at 07/08/2008 6:43 PM
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Edited by Rich Sands at 07/11/2008 11:02 AM
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