By DPA
London : Roger Federer's emotions almost got the better of him as he stood on the brink of a record-tying fifth straight Wimbledon title.
"I was almost crying already when I was up 5-2, so I had to kind of just stay pretty relaxed," said the Swiss Sunday after pulling level with Bjorn Borg, who claimed his five in a row on the grass from 1976 to 1980.
"And then the game (Nadal serving) starts with love-15. I'm like, Oh, my god, this is going too well. It's hard, you know. So many things go through your mind. On (first) match point, I played it well, but he had a good slice on that. The second one, I said, let's do it again, play aggressive on the second serve. It paid off, so I was thrilled."
Federer achieved his 11th Grand Slam crown in front of tennis royalty, with Borg watching from the Royal Box.
Moments after the trophy presentation, the 51-year-old Swede was waiting for the current king of grass inside the venerable Wimbledon clubhouse.
"It was very special. We gave each other a Swedish hug," said Federer. "It was very nice, because I think we like each other very much from far away, so to speak. … So to see him waiting there was great."
Federer said he won under not only match pressure but also the weight of history courtside, with VIP former players serving as television commentators.
"It was a huge occasion for me, huge pressure. Bjorn Borg sitting there, Jimmy Connors sitting there, John McEnroe sitting there, Boris Becker sitting there," Federer said.
"In the end, to lift the trophy, it's a very special memory. I'll have it for all my life."