Sometimes, monumental losses prove not how far apart the talents of the winner and the runner-up were, but how agonizingly close.

The 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal proved just that. On any other day, losing a match by five points (204 of Federer’s to 209 of Nadal’s) would not have turned out to be so colossal.

But it did. Such was the game and the rivalry.

For most of his fans, I think Federer’s first French Open in 2009 almost erased the pain caused by this loss. For me, it is still the most tragic moment. I knew he would win the FO some day.

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