1945: Speeches complete, trophy raised, confetti sprinkled. The 2010 season comes to an end with a pulsating final between two of the greatest players in history and our attention now turns to 2011. The men's game could hardly find itself in ruder health and the next season has all the makings of another classic. Thanks for every single one of your contributions over the past eight days and throughout the season. It's been a pleasure. Bring on Melbourne...

BBC Sport's Piers Newbery tweeting from the O2 Arena: "Federer: 'I haven't spoilt Rafa's vacation, he's had an amazing year. Thanks to the ball boys so we… don't have to pick up our own balls'."

1935: "There's certainly been a clearer game plan for Federer since Wimbledon. He's won a couple of titles, he's won here and now he'll have his eye on getting the number one ranking back," says Tim Henman on BBC 2. For Rafa it's time for a hard-earned rest before January's Australian Open. An end-of-season championships crown remains the one missing entry from his CV, but it's fair to say that picking up three Grand Slam titles and all three of the clay Masters events constitutes a fairly good season.

1935: "There's certainly been a clearer game plan for Federer since Wimbledon. He's won a couple of titles, he's won here and now he'll have his eye on getting the number one ranking back," says Tim Henman on BBC 2. For Rafa it's time for a hard-earned rest before January's Australian Open. An end-of-season championships crown remains the one missing entry from his CV, but it's fair to say that picking up three Grand Slam titles and all three of the clay Masters events constitutes a fairly good season.

1930: So there it is, Federer claims a record-equalling fifth season-ending title, drawing level with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. The 29-year-old 16-time winner from Basel, Switzerland, is your new ATP World Tour Finals champion. No wild celebrations, but you know how much this means to him. Federer collects a cheque for $1,630,000, 1,500 rankings points and reduces his head-to-head deficit against Nadal to 14-8. Job well done.

federerman on 606: "Federer finally conquers his nemesis. Roger you are definitely the GOAT. Congrats Federer."

British Tennis on Twitter: "Congratulations to Roger Federer who has won the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after a three set final victory over world No.1 Rafael Nadal."

Nadal 3-6 6-3 1-6 Federer
Stunning. Absolutely stunning. A serving masterclass. Federer volleys his way to 40-0 and that means three championship points. In he comes... but his volley finds the net. Second chance... and there it is as a forehand kisses the baseline. Game, set, match and championship Federer.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 3-6 6-3 1-5 *Federer
Federer cranks up the pressure and Nadal skews a backhand wide. Rafa looks knackered. And it's 30-0 when Roger leaves the world number one rooted with a magical winner. Federer nets but so does Nadal and suddenly he's facing two break points. Federer's backhand just creeps over then net but Nadal's doesn't. There's the double-break and surely with it the match.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 3-6 6-3 1-4 Federer
Both players targeting each other's backhand and that is basically how we get to 30-30. More crowd murmurings. Fed serves out wide to Rafa's two-handed backhand yet against and the Spaniard goes long, but a shaky forehand makes it deuce and coach Annacone is shaky his head. Rafa clips the very tip of the net with a backhand return and pulls a pained expression as it falls back on to his side. Game point. Federer ace out wide.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 3-6 6-3 1-3 *Federer
Nadal pulls an early backhand into the net to give Federer 15-0 but the marauding Mallocan hits back with two put-aways before an error from Roger gives him two game points. The world number two won't be rolled over that easily, though, and surges in to remain in contention with a volley that sneaks over the net and stops dead. Nadal then shoots long and there's another "come on" as Federer gets to deuce. Nadal curves a forehand wide and challenges the call but Hawk-Eyes shows it was indeed out. Break point Federer. The Swiss took his only previous break point, can he convert his second? Oh yes he can. The 16-time Grand Slam champion comes to the net and Nadal's attempted pass drops into the tramlines.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 3-6 6-3 1-2 Federer
Straightforward for Federer and you can tell how badly he wants with. A love service hold is closed out with a forehand winner and there's a little shout out "come on" to boot.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Jon Wertheim on Twitter: "Great match yesterday but surely we can agree: there's nothing like 1 versus 2, 25 Majors represented."

Nadal 3-6 6-3 1-1 *Federer
Two points of the very highest order to get us under way. Federer opens up for an off-forehand winner before Nadal ends a marathon rally by chasing down a volley and whipping a forehand pass past his opponent. A brilliantly disguised first ace of the day and another forehand winner put Nadal on level terms.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 3-6 6-3 0-1 Federer
A first fist-pump of the day as Federer moves to 30-15 and when he makes a running forehand winner it's two game points. The world number two, bidding for a record-equalling fifth season-end finals title, opens up his chest for another forehand winner and the pressure will now shift back to Nadal. By the way, the winner will pocket $1,630,000 and 1,500 ranking points. For the runner-up it's $860,000 ad 1,000 points.
* denotes NEXT to serve

1855: Here we go then, the last competitive set of tennis in 2010. Keep the chat coming by Tweeting me @bbcsport_david, texting in to 81111 (UK) with TENNIS before your message, or having your say via the 606 messageboards.

clareisle on 606: "RRAAAAAAAAAAFFFFFAAAAA."

Nadal 3-6 6-3 *Federer
Federer harasses Nadal into a series of hasty groundstrokes and volleys his way to 15-0. He then runs round a second serve but his inside-out forehand is wide. Coach Annacone looking nervous in the stands. Federer can't control a body serve, nor a forehand, and Rafa has two sets points at 40-15. Crowd in full voice. Federer comes in but doesn't fully commit and a forehand lands at his feet. The Swiss can't pick it up. Nadal takes the set and we're heading into a decider. Who's it going to be?
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 3-6 5-3 Federer
Nadal nets a forehand, goes long with aq sliding backhand and doesn't even bother chasing a perfectly-executed drop shot from Federer. The world number two closes out with an ace and that was a statement. How will Rafa respond? Can he serve out the set and take us into a decider?
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 3-6 5-2 *Federer
"We're starting to see the Nadal we saw yesterday," says Boris on BBC 1 just as Federer beat the Spaniard with a forehand to rein him it at 30-15. But Rafa ups the ante and wraps things up to maintain his advantage. The world number one's first serve percentage is up to 74% compared to Federer's 50%. He's starting to look rather good.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 3-6 4-2 Federer
Seemingly no ill effects as from that fall as Federer holds to love. Nadal's radar goes all awry and he hands that one over all too easily. Federer feels his leg at the end but he looks to be OK.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Times tennis correspondent Neil Harman on Twitter: "A sight you don't often see - Federer slips trying to retrieve Rafa net cord. Usually does that when he wins major titles."

Nadal 3-6 4-1 *Federer
Federer nets two forehands as Nadal moves to 30-15. Rafa then nets a forehand but Roger goes wide with a backhand. "We're starting to see unforced errors from Federer now," says Boris. An enticing rally follows and Nadal benefits from a net-cord. In comes Fed. Oooh, he's slipped and fallen heavily on his wrist. It doesn't look pretty but the Swiss gets to his feet and goes back to his chair, shaking his wrist. First time I've seen Roger hit the deck.
* denotes NEXT to serve

shinybaldhead on 606: "Ooohhh, what happened to Federer there? A bit of pressure from Nadal and you could see some tension in Federer's eyes. Break to Nadal. Thing is I am not convinced at the moment that Nadal has the stamina to capitalise on it. If Federer can re-engage his concentration he is still favourite for me."

Nadal* 3-6 3-1 Federer
Massive aggression from Nadal forces Federer to net a backhand and fall 15-0 down. Rafa then constructs the perfect point, only to put a forehand into the tramlines. Uncharacteristic lapse. But the world number one goes 30-15 ahead with a brilliant off-forehand winner. Suddenly Roger's struggling to land a first serve. And he nets a volley to give Nadal two break points. A poor approach from the world number two... but Nadal's crosscourt forehand pass lands wide. One more chance. Will he take it? Federer rams a forehand wide and there's a huge roar of "Vamos" as Nadal punches the air. Nadal breaks. Game on.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Skellionz on Twitter: "It's clear that everyone has made their mind up that Nadal is tired and that's the only way Federer can win. Not true."

Nadal 3-6 2-1 *Federer
"Nadal's feeling the heat out there," says Boris on the telly as the world number one clips a forehand into the trams to take us to 15-15. He's not going to go down without a fight, however, and when Federer fails to control a viciously spinning forehand it's 40-15. Nadal goes long - "he's definitely looking jaded," says Castle - but Federer frames a backhand and that sees the Spaniard home.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 3-6 1-1 Federer
A rare second serve for Nadal to attack but he ends up putting a backhand long to give Federer 40-0. The nine-time Grand Slam champion gets a point on the board with a crosscourt forehand that Federer can only watch, but he goes long to hand over the game. "Nadal looks impotent," says Andrew Castle on BBC 2.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 3-6 1-0 *Federer
Nadal gets going with a hold to love. Confirmed when Federer puts a backhand return into the net. The Spaniard still peppering that backhand. He needs to make an on the Federer serve or the only title missing from his CV will have to wait for at least another year.
* denotes NEXT to serve

1820: "On this surface and in this position I can't see Nadal coming back. But one thing I certainly won't be doing is writing him off."
Tim Henman on BBC 2

Times tennis correspondent Neil Harman on Twitter: "Federer takes 1st set 6-3. Nadal noticeably tired. Not surprised. Needs miracle. But if anyone can..."

Nadal* 3-6 Federer
Federer hasn't lost a point when his first serve has landed and he's in no mood to let that sequence slip as he races to 40-0 and wraps up the set with one of those inside forehand winners you could watch all day long. Astounding tennis from the world number two. Nadal certainly looking a touch weary.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 3-5 *Federer
A couple of Federer errors give Nadal a cushion at 30-0 but a double fault proceeds a mishit forehand long from the 24-year-old Spaniard. Suddenly it's 30-30 and the crowd are doing that murmuring thing when they think something's about to happen. That 'something' turns out to be Nadal cranking up the intensity and Federer netting a defensive forehand. But the world number one then miscues a forehand of his own before Federer reels off a glorious forehand winner to bring up the first break point of the match. The great Swiss is changing the pace up incredibly well and he finds the line with a crosscourt backhand to capture the break.
* denotes NEXT to serve

1810: Need to be writing essays but it would be wrong to miss tennis of this standard, wouldn't it? Surely that would be a valid reason for an extension."
Will in Edinburgh via text on 81111
Stick to the tennis, Will.

BBC Sport's Piers Newbery tweeting from the O2 Arena: "In an extraordinary change for the final, John Mellencamp is playing on the changeovers. Before you ask, my dad's a fan."

Nadal* 3-4 Federer
First instance of real pressure on either serve. A Nadal backhand winner and Federer error give the world number one from Mallorca 30-0 on his opponent's delivery. But the Swiss comes out fighting and a couple of strong first serves and two precise volleys get him out of trouble. It's certainly heating up out there.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 3-3 *Federer
'Attack is the best form of defence' seems to be the mantra of both men so far. Federer steams into the net on Nadal's opening serve of the game but dumps a relatively easy volley into the net. A breathtaking rally follows and Federer wins it with a backhand that leaves Nadal rooted to the spot. Federer leads the winner count 10-0. Until, that is, Nadal wrong-foots him to move to 30-15. A couple of Federer errors and Nadal is over the line.
* denotes NEXT to serve

jeranberan on Twitter: "Crikey my eyes are hurting with these colours. Thank goodness the tennis world hasn't approached the 3D phenomenon ....yet."

Nadal* 2-3 Federer
Federer surges to the net mid-rally to chop away a high backhand volley and then draws huge applause with a crosscourt backhand winner. An ace an a long return from Nadal close out another love hold. High quality tennis so far.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 2-2 *Federer
Lots of pre-match talk abut Nadal targeting the Federer backhand and he does just that to make his way to 30-0. A Nadal backhand looks to have sailed narrowly wide... he challenges... Hawk-Eye says it was indeed out. That's Federer's first point on the Nadal serve today. A backhand return from the Swiss then loops beyond the baseline before he realises Nadal is targeting that side and runs round a return, only to lash his forehand long.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 1-2 Federer
The first point against serve of the match goes to Nadal, Federer flicking a groundstroke long for 30-15. Fear not, Fed fans. Your man responds with two winners to to keep his nose in front. Did you know... 42 of Nadal's 43 singles title were won outdoors? His one and only indoor crowd came in Madrid five years ago.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal 1-1 *Federer
"A third match in three days for Nadal. If you asked a footballer to do that there would be moaning managers galore," says Andrew Castle on BBC 2. Federer fails to punish three second serves and Nadal is able to snap up a love service game of his own.
* denotes NEXT to serve

Nadal* 0-1 Federer
Federer opens proceedings with a forehand winner to the advantage court and follows it up by putting a backhand in almost exactly the same place. An ace and a Nadal forehand into the tramlines seals the hold to love. Super start from the 16-time Grand Slam champ.
* denotes NEXT to serve

1745: Warm-ups drawing towards a close. Federer's coach Paul Annacone looking a touch nervous in the stands. Uncle Toni Nadal appears as non-plussed as ever. Ready to rumble? Boris opts for Rafa, Henman for Roger. Here we go...

1743: Plenty of talk on BBC 2 about the head-to-head record. Nadal leads 14-7 and has won six of the last seven. But Federer leads 2-0 indoors. Most memorable meeting? There can only be one. Nadal's epic Wimbledon victory in 2008.

anfo_genesis_fabregas on 606: "I can see a fantastic finale with the magnificent Spaniard triumphing in five magnificent sets."

Daily Mail tennis correspondent Mike Dickson on Twitter: "02 'Celeb'watch: Ronnie Wood, Avram Grant, Thierry Henry, Kevin Spacey, Princess Beatrice, Dizzee Rascal, Boris Johnson, Diego Maradona."

1738: TOSS NEWS... Federer calls incorrectly and Nadal opts to receive serve. Warm-ups under way.

1737: "I have to play aggressive and hopefully I'll have a good day," says Federer. Short but sweet. Here's Nadal: "I am a bit tired but mentally I am fine. The most difficult thing today will be the opponent, not being tired. He's playing unbelievably - it will be difficult. He's a great person and it's a pleasure to be playing at the same time as him."

1734: For those of you with access to a wireless, I can confirm that BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentary is now up and running. The players have just entered the arena to ear-splitting ovations. Not long now, people.

1732: Particularly keen to see how well Rafa recovers from from his draining semi-final victory over Andy Murray yesterday. The 24-year-old Spaniard may have been tucked up in bed by the time Federer saw off Novak Djokovic in the evening match, but the 29-year-old Swiss has won all his matches in straight sets this week while Nadal has twice been taken the distance. Lest we forget, Federer is in the hunt for a record-equalling fifth season-end title while Rafa is after his first. If, however, the man from Mallorca takes it, he will have collected the only significant title missing from his incredible CV.

Freddie_ross on Twitter: "Just been on a run in minus temperatures and I feel I deserve a classic encounter between these two men."

StoneyIsle on 606: "I can't call this one, I don't think anyone can. Every time I think that Nadal will win it, Federer's skills at passing shots null that thought. When I think that Federer will win it, Nadal's aggressive forehand shots down the line cancel out any ideas there. I can't see this match being anything other than a war of attrition from both players, it has to get to tie-breakers in all 3 sets as I don't see any breaks of serve happening. Out of the two of them, Federer's service can break down more often at times under pressure, but Nadal's tie-breaker record is not as strong as Federer's. But that all goes out the window when it comes to finals like this, a hotly contested - Not quite a slam but more than a masters - event."

1725: This is the first time since 1986 that the top two players in the world have reached the season finale. That day Ivan Lendl beat Boris Becker 6-4 6-4 6-4. To celebrate, UK users can manually refresh this page and watch a live stream of BBC 2's TV coverage.

BBC Sport's Piers Newbery tweeting from the O2 Arena: "So despite saying I thought Rog was the favourite last night, I feel duty bound to stick with my original pick for the title. Rafa in 3..."

1715: Now, I know it's frosty out there this evening but my hands are just as chilly as yours and while I'll be doing do my very best to keep you abreast of proceedings, it would be greatly appreciated if you could reciprocate. Normal drill... you can Tweet me @bbcsport_david, text in to 81111 (UK) with TENNIS before your message, or dip into the 606 messageboards and I'll pull out the best comments.

1710: Nadal and Federer are due on court for their 22nd career meeting at 1730, and they should be on time now the doubles final is done and dusted. Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to collect the title. "Pretty comfortable really as service dominated," reports BBC Sport's Mark Ashenden. "Although the second seeds had a slight wobble in the first set tie-break."

1705: It may have taken a while - 29 matches and 70 sets to be precise - but finally the match we all wanted is here. The world number one (Nadal) against the world number two (Federer). The winners of 21 of the last 23 Grand Slam tournaments. The pair who have between them held the world number one ranking for the past seven years. Batten down the hatches, this has all the makings of an absolute classic.

1700: From the moment the end-of-season championships were awarded to London, the tennis world has been awaiting this day with feverish excitement. Two of the greatest players in history going head-to-head in front of 17,500 fans at the O2 Arena. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages... I give you Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals.