Even on a split TV screen, Rafael Nadal’s conquest of Roger Federer was compelling viewing.

Federer had been invincible at Wimbledon, winning 40 consecutive matches and five straight championships. But Nadal outlasted him Sunday in a 4-hour, 48-minute marathon, shrugging off three rain delays in his epic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 victory.

Until the past year, men’s tennis had not been very interesting. Nadal dominated clay court events and Federer owned everything else. None of the other players mattered.

But a great rivalry emerged as Nadal mastered the other surfaces. And now, after Nadal’s remarkable victory on the grass courts of the All England Club, tennis may have a new king.

ESPN.com’s Greg Garber put this breakthrough into context: “This victory, achieved on Federer’s favored surface, on the court that means more to him than any other, appears to be a passing shot of sorts.

“For these sea-change moments are inevitable in sport. In 1990-91, after Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoffs three years running, they demolished Detroit in the conference final 4-0, and eventually won Chicago’s first NBA title in 25 years.

“Cassius Clay became the new heavyweight champion of the world in 1964 when he defeated heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. The man who would change his name to Muhammad Ali was, like Nadal, 22 years old.”

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti had this take:

“Nadal is what Phil Mickelson never became in a golf world owned by Tiger Woods. He is the lefty challenger who stared down Federer’s 65-match winning streak on grass, which spanned five consecutive Wimbledon championships, and interrupted his reign as the sport’s top player. With 12 Grand Slam titles, Federer has been making his case as tennis’ all-time greatest player, yet is it possible his place in history will be swallowed up by Nadal?

“Already generally regarded as the most dominant ever on clay, he has mastered the grass game quicker than anyone imagined, becoming the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to pull off the Wimbledon/French Open double in the same year. To see him hold off the charging Federer repeatedly in a mesmerizing fifth set, which trickled deep into the London twilight, ranks as high as any drama ever produced by tennis.”

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while wondering what, if anything, Mark Mulder will add to the Cardinals starting rotation:

• With Adam Kennedy, Aaron Miles and Brendan Ryan all hitting well, how much playing time can Tony La Russa give Cesar Izturis at shortstop?
• How many casual baseball fans are stunned to see Ryan Ludwick on the National League All-Star team?
• How many casual baseball fans even know who he is?

C-ROD HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Just three months after the birth of their second child, Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez are headed for Splitsville. Cynthia filed for divorce in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, citing “long period of infidelity on the part or Mr. Rodriguez, an all-star baseball player for the New York Yankees.”

The suit also claimed “emotional abandonment” but apparently made no reference to A-Rod’s feckless postseason performances.

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:

Norman Chad, syndicated columnist: “In the midst of a season-long celebration of storied Yankee Stadium — arguably the most famous sporting venue in America outside of the Playboy Mansion — let me ask this: If Yankee Stadium is baseball’s holy cathedral, then how come they’re tearing it down? Would the Roman Catholic Church build a new Sistine Chapel with luxury boxes?”

Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: “I’m sure you saw where the Supreme Court just affirmed that Americans have a right to carry guns. This was a major victory for the NRA, the nation’s hunters and SEC football recruits.”

Rick Morrissey, Chicago Tribune: “Ozzie Guillen talks a lot about the e-mails fans send him. You couldn’t get through any of the recent Cubs- White Sox games without hearing him talking about the electronic abuse he receives. He has made his e-mail address (OzzieGuillen13@hotmail.com) public. That’s pretty cool. There can’t be another manager in baseball who does it. You get the feeling the only person Cardinals manager Tony La Russa would give his e-mail address to would be God, and only then for the times God needed advice.”

Dwight Perry, Seattle Times: “Team owner Chip Ganassi has shut down Dario Franchitti’s NASCAR race team because of a lack of sponsorship. Though, team members are quick to point out, they have no intention of revoking Ashley Judd’s pit pass.”

MEGAPHONE

“I’m sick and tired of it. I know everybody in hockey is. I know our peers are like, ‘Well, that’s Burkie.’ This guy is an absolute media junkie and I guess he’s achieving what he wants because he gets his name in the headlines. But the reality is, I hate the fact that my name is linked to his. He’s an underachieving wanna-be in terms of success in the NHL. He won a Stanley Cup? Great. I’ve won six Stanley Cups, you want to count rings? Who cares, it’s just a little pathetic that he carries on.”

Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe, answering barbs from Ducks counterpart Brian Burke.