MADRID, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish media saw a 'new era' in Spanish tennis on Sunday after Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign at Wimbledon and became the first Spaniard to win the tournament in over 40 years.

'Nadal makes history by winning his first Wimbledon,' daily newspaper ABC said in a headline on its online edition above a photo of the 22-year-old being congratulated by Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Princess Letizia.

'The Spaniard defeated the world number one at his favourite tournament and inaugurated with this win a new era for Spanish tennis,' it wrote.

The last Spaniard to win Wimbledon was Manolo Santana in 1966 when Spain was still ruled by dictator General Francisco Franco.

'Nadal conquers Wimbledon in a historic final against Federer,' headlined rival daily El Mundo, which called the match 'splendor on the grass'.

Nadal beat Federer as king of Wimbledon with an epic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (8/10), 9-7 win in the longest Grand Slam final in the history of the tournament.

'Heroic,' wrote sports daily Marca on its main page. 'Nadal beat Federer in an epic Wimbledon final.'

'Nadal reigns at Wimbleon,' wrote Catalan daily La Vanguardia while Catalan sports daily Sport said the player, who has won the Roland Garros clay court tournament four times, 'entered tennis history'.