It saddens me that Federer lost the greatest tennis match ever in 2008, as it saddens me that HBK lost the greatest wrestling match ever in 2009. It feels like the pinnacle of each sport should put the hero on top. Alas, this falls in the same trend as Inferno and Paradise Lost, where somehow we elevate these downfalls above their positive counterparts (Pardiso, Paradise Regained, any of the many victories of Federer, etc). Not that Nadal is a villain, from the perspective of 2025 -- I wasn't conscious enough of pro tennis in 2008 to comment -- but I'm sure he wasn't the hero in 2008, at least not for anyone who loves beauty and greatness. Nor is The Undertaker really a heel. But watching Federer and HBK fall from grace, the heights of grace, suave as they always were, on the biggest stage of their sport, in the utmost legendary match, saddens me.