Posted on 01/28/2018 7:08:04 AM PST by SeekAndFind
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Back where his career resurgence began with a drought-breaking triumph last year, Roger Federer cried as he lifted and kissed the Australian Open trophy for a sixth time and celebrated his 20th Grand Slam title.
Federer started Sunday's final with an intensity that stunned sixth-seeded Marin Cilic, then held his nerve in a tense, momentum-shifting match before winning 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
After going more than four years without winning a major title leading up to last year's Australian Open, Federer has now won three of the past five.
"I'm so happy. It's unbelievable," Federer said, taking deep breaths and choking back tears. "Of course, winning is an absolute dream come true -- the fairytale continues for us, for me, after the great year I had last year, it's incredible."
The great Rod Laver, who lends his name to the center court at Melbourne Park, was in the crowd taking photos to mark the occasion of Federer becoming the first man to win 20 majors.
Federer started to tear up at the end of the trophy ceremony as he thanked his team in the stands. "I love you guys. Thank you," he said. He then received a standing ovation as tears streamed down his face.
At the age of 36 years, 173 days, Federer became the second-oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era after Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open at 37.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
Lots of great tennis during this year’s Aussie Open.
That guy is a machine, he is the GOAT.
In 2013, many thought he was all but finished.
Roger Goaterer.
G O A T
While Nadal, Dokovic, Murray all stutter and recover from injury after injury... Fed keeps winning. Granted he has injuries too but they’re not keeping him from winning.
Will Fed last much longer? I hope so - he’s great for the game and a good man IMO.
Fed is the greatest of all time.
“Will Fed last much longer? I hope so - he’s great for the game and a good man IMO.
Fed is the greatest of all time.”
He’s a cheapskate, keeps all the free towel’s, never gives any to the fans, not even his dirty shirts. Where the fans pay high prices, he makes millions.
I’m not disputing his tennis greatness.
Hope you are kidding or have real examples of cheapskateness.
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