© Reuters / K Lamarque

As the 19-year-old Spaniard said, “This is a difficult surface but this year I played my best tournament of the year here, that’s unbelievable.” Indeed he wasn’t downcast by his defeat. “I hope in another year I [can] come back here in the final and win.” He does have one request, though: “I hope one year I don’t play against a guy like Roger. He played unbelievable on this surface but I improved a lot this year so I am very happy for that.”

And that was the main thrust of the Spaniard’s thoughts as he spoke to the press later. “The first set was tough for me – it wasn’t like playing other guys – he plays with more slice. I didn’t see the strategy of the game because he was playing different with his slice. It was tough for me but it was not easy [for either of us] with the wind.”

However, there was no way that he was disheartened by his performance. “I enjoyed the match – not the first set but I played good after,” Nadal said. “It was important for me as I believe I can win here – I can beat Roger, too. It’s important for me to believe I can win and beat Roger here on this surface.”

But to do that on grass he has to work more on his game and learn how to deal with Federer’s own impressive game. “His serve is tough – I can’t read his serve very well – his angles and the way he tosses the ball, he changes all the time.”

Nevertheless, Nadal said he has already identified the areas that need improving if he is to deal with Federer on grass in the years to come. So far he has learnt that he must move a lot better, and be more aggressive with his forehand rather than his backhand. “I need to change a little bit, play a little bit more slow, not with topspin. Sometimes you can play [like that], but not every ball.”

In the Spaniard’s opinion, this match was close and there wasn’t much difference between them. However, he did admit after the disastrous opening set that he had one ambition: “Win one game – I just need one game to come back in the match,” he said. And so he did.

But while his desire to win this “unbelievable tournament” burns brightly in Nadal’s mind, he gives his conqueror full credit for winning his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title. “They always say he wins a lot and he wins easy so that’s good to try and be the best in history. But he has eight [Grand Slam titles] and Sampras 14. We gonna see.”

Over the past fortnight Nadal has made a lot of friends and impressed a lot of pundits. Jimmy Connors, for instance, said: “Nadal should be proud of his performance. I’m proud of him.” John Lloyd added: “It was a very good final – Nadal is a grass court player and we can look forward to seeing him back.” And as Andrew Castle pointed out, “Nadal will grow stronger on this surface – he was the only player to take a set off Federer [at the event] this year.”