Rafa Nadal Church Road, London Middlesex England

Rafa ready for some partying

They'd been waiting patiently outside the front of the clubhouse to steal a glimpse of their hero. And when Rafael Nadal walked out as Wimbledon champion for the second time in his career the fans were not disappointed.

The world No.1, who is rather particular when it comes to routine, walked up and down the rows of people and took his time to sign almost anything thrown in his path by those clamouring for his autograph. It was his way of repaying the love and respect shown to him by fans throughout the fortnight.

"[Wimbledon] Probably is the best crowd of the world," he said after the match. "They have a lot of respect for every player, I think. If I speak about myself, was always amazing with me, the crowd, especially two days ago when I played against Andy Murray, a British player. For sure the crowd support him, but the same time was supporting me a lot. That's unbelievable. Just can say thank you very much."

Rafa celebrated his straight sets victory over Tomas Berdych with a spontaneous forward roll on the Centre Court turf but could not compare his 2008 and 2010 victories.

"Every one is really special. It's difficult to say which one is more special. The other one was more dramatic, the way to win. So first title is always very, very special. And for sure after not easy year for me.

But then he added: "Be back on my favourite tournament of the world here and play well another time, and not only play well, so finish with the trophy is amazing for me. Thank you very much all the organisation, all the crowd, because when I am on the court what they make me feel is unbelievable."

By winning the French Open and now Wimbledon back to back, Nadal has again achieved what has been described as perhaps the hardest thing to accomplish in tennis. As ever he was modest. "It didn't happen since Borg, so now the last three years it happen twice. So how crazy is life," he laughed.

The truth of the matter is it has taken the Spaniard hours and hours of hard graft to get to this stage."So after a few years for me, I know how important is the grass court season. And after winning in Roland Garros Sunday, I am practising on Monday in Queen's because I know how difficult is to change and to adapt the surface. Every day is goal to be ready to play here in Wimbledon."
There are also the jitters to contend with. "If you are not nervous in the final of Wimbledon, you are not human," he pointed out.

Attention then turned to the US Open but the Spaniard is looking forward to a spot of R&R before then. "Right now, I'm very happy to win Wimbledon. We gonna think about US Open in one month. Right now we just relax and enjoy for me this amazing season. Was very difficult for me to be back at my best. I did, so is very important and emotional moment for me. I want to enjoy that."

So what are Rafa's immediate plans? "Right now is enjoy the beach, fishing, golf, friends, party and Mallorca." Given that he was sidelined with injury this time last year, who can blame him?