Surely it was the greatest match ever played, to those of us who watched Rafael Nadal defeat Roger Federer in five sets yesterday, not just a colossal upset but a colossal game. Many proclaimed it over as Federer went down two sets to love, but there was no quit in him as he won the next to sets in tiebreak. The final set is now history, a back and forth match of men so even that it took a brilliant shot from one, and a mistake from the other to decide it.

But perhaps most importantly is the way they carried themselves after the match, through victory or defeat. Both were full of nothing but praise for the other, Nadal a proud happiness, Federer a saddened but still glorious finish. If only everyone was a gracious in defeat or victory as these two were, even though it would be impossible to wish for a repeat of such a match, and such a professional reaction.