What would Pete do?

Pete would have served more aggressively than RF did. Pete may have lost, but he would have imposed his will on serve.

Pete faced years of playing at a high level but not at a level where he could win major titles. He kept playing, did not listen to the critics who told him his time was over, and won a final major.

The next three or four years will determine whether RF is among the one or two greatest of all time. He will have to persevere through losses, maintaining his own confidence while others are doubting him.

Dominance

At 1-2, 30-15 in the 5th set, Mr Nadal removed Mr Federer's resolve to fight on. The 5th set appeared to convince RF that he has met the superior player. With all factors pointing to RF (length of previous matches, rest period between semi and final, court surface), RN won. Mr Nadal is a champion for all time - when facing the most severe challenges, he becomes stronger.