Watch highlights as Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win the 2017 Australian Open title, his fifth Australian Open title and his 18th Grand Slam crown. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Photo: ATP/Getty Images
Watch highlights as Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win the 2017 Australian Open title, his fifth Australian Open title and his 18th Grand Slam crown. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Photo: ATP/Getty Images
ATPWorldTour.com reflects on the Melbourne fortnight 1. ROGER AND RAFA AREN’T DONE YET With Rafael Nadal’s ongoing wrist issues causing him to cut this past season short in October, and Roger Federer sitting out after Wimbledon to continue rehabbing following knee surgery, some critics wondered if their bodies could withstand the rigours of professional tennis. Those doubts were swiftly erased by both players with their form this tournament. Federer and Nadal recaptured the level of tennis that has brought them countless titles throughout their careers, firing winners at will and tracking down shots that seemed impossible to reach. Perhaps most importantly, they showed no issues with fitness or stamina, prevailing in a pair of five-set matches en route to the...
He’s been a man on a mission in Melbourne the past two weeks and the dream came true for Roger Federer on Sunday evening as he toppled his great rival, Rafael Nadal, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the Australian Open final to win his 18th Grand Slam championship. “I’m out of words,” said Federer, after receiving the trophy from Rod Laver. “I'd like to congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. There are no draws in tennis, but I would have been very happy to accept one and share it with Rafa tonight. The comeback had been perfect as it was,” said the Swiss, who was playing his first tour-level event after a six-month injury lay-off. All out aggression from...
It was a rivalry renewed for the 35th time and it more than lived up to the hype and expectations. Roger Federer edged Rafael Nadal in a rollercoaster five-set thriller for the Australian Open crown on Sunday, prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 37 minutes. The victory was sweet for Federer, claiming another slice of history with an unprecedented 18th major title. For Nadal, his own opportunity to surge into the record books was denied. The Spaniard was bidding to become the first player in the Open Era to capture all four Grand Slam titles on multiple occasions. But, speaking to the assembled media following the match, Nadal refused to view the defeat in a negative...