Roger Federer has completed his dream comeback from a six-month layoff to lift his career 18th Grand Slam title and his fifth at the Australian Open after he defeated Rafael Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 final in the Rod Laver Arena. Federer had not defeated Nadal at Grand Slam level since Wimbledon 2007.
“I am out of words. I would like to congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. There are no draws in tennis, but I would have been happy to accept one and share it with Rafa tonight. The comeback had been perfect as it was. Novak has been one of my biggest rivals. So have Roddick and Hewitt. I don’t like to leave anybody out, to be honest. I am sure I have left a couple out. But Rafa definitely has been very particular in my career. He made me a better player. He and a couple have done the most to do that to me because the way his game stacks up with me. He is a tricky one. It remains the ultimate challenge to play against him. So it’s definitely very special. If I were to win against Rafa, it would be super special and very sweet because I haven’t beaten him in a Grand Slam final for a long time. The last time was Wimbledon 2007 in a five setter. Now I was able to do it again,” said Federer.
Before today’s blockbuster final, Nadal boasted a 9-2 win-loss record at Grand Slam level against the Swiss player. Federer beat Nadal in a Grand Slam final for the third time out of their nine most recent head-to-head matches. Nadal, who had beaten Federer in all three matches played in Melbourne prior to Sunday (including a win in the 2009 final), lost his first Grand Slam match against Federer outside of from Wimbledon Championships.
“I don’t think either of us believed we would be in the final of the Australian Open when we were at your academy (the Rafael Nadal academy) four or five months ago.” Federer said to Nadal during the trophy ceremony.
Federer has become the first player in Australian Open history since Mats Wilander at the 1982 French Open to beat four top ten players en route to clinching a Major title. During this year’s tournament he beat Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal to clinch his fifth title. Wilander beat Ivan Lendl, Vitas Gerulaitis, José Luis Clerc and Guillermo Vilas to win Roland Garros 35 years ago.
The Swiss Maestro is the first player to win three five-set matches en route to a Major title since Gaston Gaudio in 2004 and the lowest ranked Australian Open champion since Number 18 Thomas Johansson clinched the title in 2002.
“It would have been special regardless of where it was going to be. This is a tournament I have not missed. I missed the French Open and the US Open last year. This is the one I guess that is my most consistent Slam. It all started for me here. I played the qualifying round here in 1999, the Juniors in 1998. I won my first match here against Michael Chang back in 2000. I went way back. I have always loved coming here. When you win down here, the journey home is not a problem. When you lose, it’s just brutal. I feel very fortunate tonight”.
At the age of 35 Federer is the oldest Grand Slam winner. Australian legend Ken Rosewall is the only other player to win Grand Slam titles in the Open Era after his 35th birthday.
“To have put some more distance between me and my greatest rivals is the smallest part. For me it’s all about the comeback, about an epic match with Rafa again. I am grateful that I can still do it at my age after not having won a Grand Slam for almost five years. The last problem is the Slam count. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. It’s awkward to win this way. Nevertheless, emotions poured out of me. I was incredibly happy, as you can imagine.The magnitude of this match is going to feel different. I cannot compare this one, to any other one except for the French Open in 2009. I waited for the French Open. I tried. I fought. I tried again and failed. Eventually I made it. This feels similar.”
The success has also brought jubilation for Ivan Ljubicic, who won his first ever Grand Slam as Federer’s coach.
“It’s very special to win my first Grand Slam with Ivan Ljubicic coaching me. It was his first Grand Slam final as a player or as coach. Obviously he was nervous all day. I tried to calm him down. The same thing with m physio. It’s beautiful for all of us. I know how happy they are because they are more than just a coach or a physio. They are all my friends. We spent a lot of time talking about the possibility to get back to 100 percent, and, if I did, what would ir require to win a Grand Slam.We are going to be partying like rock stars tonight”
