By Bill Scott Jul 7, 2008, 6:16 GMT
London - Rafael Nadal will aim to keep his feet firmly planted on solid earth as he scales new tennis heights after beating Roger Federer at the weekend in what is being called the most thrilling Wimbledon final ever played.
The world number two is closing in fast on Switzerland's five-times champion hero after completing a thrilling five-set victory in darkness.
Afterwards, the 22-year-old winner clambered into his own courtside supporters' box followed by that of the Royal family to greet Spain's titular heads who watched the drama unfold.
'I meet with His Highness sometimes, it is always a pleasure for me,' said the five-time Grand Slam champion, who will travel to Stuttgart to fulfill duties at a clay event starting on Monday.
'I just want to say thank you to him for being here watching my final. So always is a special feeling.'
As the first from his nation since Manolo Santana in 1966, Nadal has put out to pasture the idea of grass as a foreign surface for clay-trained baselining players.
'I never thought that,' he said of the old Iberian adage that grass is only for cows, not tennis.
'I've loved playing on this surface always. When I lost in 2005 I said the same: Sometimes if people serve very well it can be a bit boring, but normally right now we can play.
'The matches are very nice. You have options: you can play very aggressive, and you can't play very defensive. But can you go to the net, it's an interesting game.
'I think you have to understand well the surface if you have to have good results here.'
The 22-year-old has learned the lesson well, coming closer to Federer with each passing final until going over the line after nearly five hours on Sunday night.
Amid the notable excitement at his achievement, Nadal kept his perspective.
'This was probably my most emotional win, I don't know if it's the best, but probably it was.
'When I won for the first time the French Open was unbelievable. I don't want to compare the Grand Slams, but Wimbledon is special for everybody, no? Tradition, everything.
'For me, this is more of a surprise to win here than the French.
'It's unbelievable for me have a title here in Wimbledon, a dream. When I was a kid I dreamed to play here, but to win is amazing.
For any Spanish player to win here is unbelievable. We don't have a lot of titles here.'
Nadal praised his beaten foe as 'a great champion.'
Roger's attitude always is positive when he loses, when he wins. he always accepts the victories and the losses with the same humble (humility).'
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