The 2017 Australian Open final is over. Serena Williams is the women’s champion. She beat Venus Williams in the final. Roger Federer picked up his 18th grand slam title. He beat Rafa Nadal in the men’s final. Sport, eh? Thanks for reading and emailing. Bye.
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All of which means that Roger Federer is the new world No10 and Rafa Nadal moves up to sixth. That’s the real quiz.
Roger Federer receives his trophy. It’s his fifth Australian Open title and his first since 2010. “I’m out of words and Rafa said so many great things,” he said. “I’d like to congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. I don’t think either of us thought we’d be in the finals when we were at your academy four or five years ago. I’d just like to thank my team. It’s been a different last six months. I didn’t think I was going to make it here.”
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“I’m going to keep fighting,” Nadal says. No way!
“Congratulations to Roger and all his team,” Rafa Nadal says. “It is amazing how he is playing after all this time away from the tour. Congrats, I am very happy for you. For me, it has been a great month. For the first time in my career, I spent a full month in Australia. It is an amazing month for me. This beautiful country, fantastic people, supporting a lot all the events. It has been unforgettable.”
It’s time for the ceremony. The man from the car company is doing his annual terrible speech.
Federer was a break down in the fifth set. A break down against Rafael Nadal. A break down against a player who’d beaten him 23 times in 34 matches. He was having treatment on his right quad. Are you kidding me?
At the age of 35, Roger Federer is the 2nd oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam since 37yo Ken Rosewall at 1972 Australian Open.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) January 29, 2017
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It will come as no surprise to you that Federer’s let a few tears roll down his cheeks. He loves a good cry.
Almost ten years since Roger Federer last beat Rafa Nadal in a grand slam, he’s beaten him in five sets at the age of 35. He spent six months out with a knee injury last year. Can there be any doubt? Do you really want to tell me he isn’t the greatest of all time?
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ROGER FEDERER WINS 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3! HE'S THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION!
Roger Federer is serving for the Australian Open title. He’s serving for his first grand slam title in almost five years. It would be his 18th. But Rafa Nadal stands on the opposite side of the net and he’s going to make life as difficult as possible for him. He wins the first point with a stunning backhand return. Then Federer misses a backhand. It’s 0-30. Federer pulls it back to 15-30 with his 18th ace. How he needed that. But Nadal crashes a backhand into the left corner and earns two break points with a smash! Federer bangs an ace down the middle to make it 30-40. Then he nets a first serve. The second serve is in. They rally. Federer pedals backwards furiously and somehow generates the power with an absurd inside-out forehand for deuce! He sends a serve down the middle. Nadal’s forehand return goes way long and Federer has his first championship point! Federer misses a first serve. His second serve is called out. He challenges. It was on the line! He gets another first serve. It’s called out. He challenges again. This one was well out. He gets his second serve in. But he knocks a forehand long and it’s deuce. Another ace earns him his second championship point. This is too much to take. Nadal’s return is short. Federer pounces with a forehand. It clips the line. Or does it? No one’s sure. It’s not been called out. But neither player knows what to do. Nadal challenges. There’s an intolerable wait for HawkEye to tell us if it’s all over. Federer watches the screen. Then his face breaks out into the biggest smile you’ll ever see! He’s roaring at his disbelieving box! He’s jumping up and down on the spot! He’s embracing a distraught Rafa Nadal at the net! He’s done it! It was in! Roger Federer has won his 18th grand slam title at the age of 35!
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Fifth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 5-3 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer cutely dinks a spinning, low backhand slice over the net from left to right, luring Nadal forward. Nadal can only send his forehand long. He’s coming under heavy fire now. Federer’s forehand is purring. Nadal’s forced to miss another and it’s 0-30. This is a huge point. Nadal double-faults! Federer has three break points! Nadal saves the first with a storming forehand down the line. He saves the second with a big serve that Federer sends long. He saves the third when Federer shanks a backhand return wide off a second serve! Unbelievable. It’s deuce. Then a point that takes us right back to Wimbledon 2008! It lasts an age, these two great old warriors throwing everything at each other, and it ends with Federer producing a peach of a forehand down the line to seize another break point. But Nadal is made of steel. A massive serve down the middle saves him, but Federer comes up with another inspired forehand to earn a fifth opportunity. This time, he returns brilliantly, a low crosscourt backhand forcing Nadal to spank a forehand into the net post! Federer breaks! He’ll serve for the title! His 18th grand slam title!
Fifth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 4-3 Nadal (*denotes server): Momentum back on Federer’s side, he begins the game with an ace, then volleys stoutly for 30-0. It’s 40-0 when Nadal plonks a backhand return wide. Federer holds to love with a second serve ace. Oh my. Even Rod Laver’s on his feet now.
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Fifth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 3-3 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer somehow manages to repel Nadal’s best during a baseline slugfest and wins the opening point with a spectacular backhand. Then Nadal nets a forehand for 0-30. Federer roars. Nadal roars back and clambers to 30-all, serving wonderfully. But Nadal overcooks a forehand, challenges unsuccessfully and Federer has another break point. And Nadal saves it again. He serves powerfully and cracks a forehand into the left corner for deuce. Federer responds with a flat backhand winner. Another break point. Nadal finally cracks. He finally misses a forehand! It’s wide! Federer, waiting patiently and stubbornly on the baseline, breaks back! “Ken Rosewall was 37 when he won the Australian Open in 1972, and he reached the Wimbledon final two years later,” says Simon McMahon. “In golf, Roberto de Vicenzo was 44 when he won his one and only major at Hoylake in 1967. It’s never too late, Matt.”
Fifth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 2-3 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer holds to 15. I suspect he’ll get more chances. The question is whether he’ll be clinical enough.
Fifth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 1-3 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer was having treatment to his right quad before the start of this game, but he’s still fighting. When Nadal double-faults at 30-0, Federer makes it 30-all, flaying a backhand from left to right to win the rally. The game goes to deuce and Federer earns a break point, pinging a backhand down the line. Nadal saves it with a brutal backhand. It’s tough to take for Federer, who’s seeing chances come and go. Nadal holds.
Fifth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 1-2 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer has to hold here. He does and keeps it to a single break.
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Fifth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 0-2 Nadal* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. Then Federer takes advantage of a net cord to slash a backhand down the line for 15-30. Federer’s on it again, clipping a backhand from left to right to earn two break points. He can’t take the first, netting a backhand down the line, and Nadal saves the second with a stunning forehand down the line for deuce. Federer gets a third opportunity thanks to a moment of fortune, a forehand clipping the top of the net and landing on Nadal’s side, but the Spaniard thwarts him, saving it with a forehand down the line. Nadal holds. Huge.
Fifth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 0-1 Nadal (*denotes server): Roger Federer returns on court after that medical timeout, swinging his arms as he prepares to serve in the decider. The crowd cheers. Nadal begins aggressively, punching a forehand down the line for 0-15. Then he finds great length with a backhand and Federer nets a forehand. Nadal’s looking sharp. He’s bang up for this now and Federer’s in bother. A forehand winner from Federer makes it 15-30, but Nadal seizes two break points with a searing forehand down the line. Federer saves the first, clumping a forehand deep into the right corner. Another baseline rally ensues. This time, Federer sends a forehand wide and Nadal breaks!
“I absolutely get the romance of seeing these two slug it out, but there’s been far too much emphasis on Federer’s age over the last few years,” Matt Dony says. “He’s a mere two weeks older than me, and I’m pretty sure I’m in my peak physical condition. He’s probably at least as fit as me, so should be fine for a few years yet. Mind you, he’s potentially closing in on his 18th Grand Slam, and in yet to win my first...”
Roger Federer is taking a medical timeout. Is his groin troubling him?
Rafa Nadal wins the fourth set 6-3 to level the final!
Rafa Nadal is serving with new balls and Federer can only net a forehand for 15-0. Another missed forehand makes it 30-0 and Nadal earns three set points with a solid serve down the middle. He only needs one. Federer nets a backhand and this final is unsurprisingly going the distance. Never write off Rafa Nadal.
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Fourth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-5 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer’s up 30-0 and 40-30, but the game still goes to deuce. He’s making errors. But he holds on, serving well. Nadal will serve to force a fifth set.
Fourth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 2-5 Nadal* (*denotes server): A curving body serve from Nadal is enough to draw a forehand error from Federer for 15-0. Soon it’s 40-0. Nadal holds to love with an ace and moves a game away from the set.
Fourth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 2-4 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer slaps two aces past Nadal to lead 30-0. Nadal scorches a blistering forehand into the right corner to make it 30-15, then Federer shanks a horrible smash miles long to make it 30-all. That was grim, the worst shot of the match, and Federer’s down 30-40 after netting a forehand. He saves it with a pinpoint ace down the middle. From deuce, his fourth ace sees him hold and stay in the set.
Fourth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 1-4 Nadal* (*denotes server): Trailing 0-15, Nadal is pleased to see Federer butcher a couple of forehands. A wayward backhand from Federer makes it 40-15. He drags himself to deuce, but too much inconsistency from Federer helps Nadal, who nonetheless has to be quite brilliant to hold, taking the breath away with a preposterous defensive squash shot from left to right. Even Federer applauds.
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Fourth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 1-3 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer rushes a forehand wide to make it 0-15. For all that Nadal looks the more jaded player, you can’t count him out. He’ll keep running and pushing and Federer knows that. The mood changes again. Another loose forehand from Federer makes it 0-30 and Nadal has an opening. He doesn’t so much squeeze through it as barge through it, walloping a forehand down the line to earn three break points. Federer saves the first with a good serve, but he nets a backhand volley on the second. Nadal breaks.
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Fourth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 1-2 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer misses a forehand by inches for 15-0, but he’s the more dangerous player at the moment. Nadal rises to the challenge, however, reaching a low ball and whipping a forehand to make it 30-15. He holds comfortably.
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Fourth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 1-1 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer races through a routine service game, cuffing a backhand down the line to hold to 15. “Whoever lifts the trophy, there will be three winners - the victor himself, the fans, and tennis in general,” says Andrew Benton. “Amazing that there is so much depth and competitiveness at the highest level in the men’s game, it’s a credit to the sport. Ditto the women’s.”
Fourth set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 0-1 Nadal* (*denotes server): So here we are, just over two hours into the final, and Roger Federer stands a set away from his 18th grand slam title. The first game of this set goes to 30-all. Nadal whips a forehand into the left corner, forcing Federer to net a slice, and holds to 30 after the Swiss knocks a forehand long. “Saw T2 Trainspotting on Friday, Jacob, and am somehow reminded of it by watching these two greats slug it out one more (last?) time,” says Simon McMahon. “If he’s watching, no doubt Andy will be seething like Begbie ...”
@JacobSteinberg imperious from RF but Rafa is like Rocky Balboa v Creed in Rocky2. Never write off Rafa while RF might have a lapse! Love it
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) January 29, 2017
Roger Federer wins the third set 6-1 to lead 6-4, 3-6, 6-1!
Serving for the set, Federer has new balls. It’s 0-15 when he nets a backhand, but 15-all after Federer correctly challenges a Nadal forehand that dropped just wide. Some serve-volley from Federer makes it 30-15, but he nets a forehand to make it 30-all and gives up a break point with a double-fault. He saves it with a missile of a forehand to the left, though, and earns a set point when Nadal sends a backhand return wide. But it’s deuce when Federer dump a stinker of a drop shot into the net. Work to do. Federer’s focus has dipped. He gives up another break point with a poor forehand. But he saves it with a serve down the middle that Nadal deflects high and wide, then earns a second set point with another serve down the middle. He’s clinical this time. A backhand down the line lands Nadal in trouble and Federer gambols forward and dinks a perfect volley away! He’s a set away from his 18th grand slam title.
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Third set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 5-1 Nadal* (*denotes server): Before the start of this game, the camera picks out a beaming couple. They’ve just got engaged! Aww. Imagine if she’d said no. Anyway, on with the tennis. From 30-0, Federer fights back to 30-all and grabs a break point when a stinging backhand forces Nadal to hook a forehand wide. Nadal saved three in his previous service game. There’s no escape this time. A peach of a backhand return from Federer almost knocks Nadal off his feet and there’s the double break! Federer will serve for the third set!
Third set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 4-1 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer is able to relax a bit more after three straightforward points make it 40-0. He holds with a missile of a forehand.
Third set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 3-1 Nadal* (*denotes server): Errors are creeping into Nadal’s game now. He nets a backhand to make it 0-15. Then a superbly angled backhand from Federer makes it 15-30 and he earns two break points, tearing through a forehand volley. Federer’s level is astonishing at the moment. Nadal saves the first, a big forehand forcing Federer to flail long, then the second with a wondrous serve out wide. Federer’s backhand goes long and that’s deuce. Federer carves out another opportunity with a splendid forehand from right to left, but Nadal saves it with an ace down the middle. After an almighty struggle, Nadal earns a game point with a huge crosscourt backhand and holds with a forehand. It’s a potentially massive hold. The set could have been in the bag for Federer.
Third set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 3-0 Nadal (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate that precious break, Federer does so superbly, volleying wonderfully and nailing a couple of aces to hold to love. He’ll savour that.
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Third set: Federer 6-4, 3-6, 2-0 Nadal* (*denotes server): After the relief of that hold, Federer celebrates with a brilliant crosscourt forehand for 0-15. Another one makes it 0-30. It’s been a prominent feature in this match. The game goes to 30-all after Federer nets a couple of backhands, but then he earns a break point with the shot of the match, almost hitting a half-volley of a forehand winner down the line from the baseline. What reflexes! And what returning! Federer returns deep and sharp and Nadal nets a forehand!
Third set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer begins the third set and he can ill afford the kind of slow start that ruined his hopes of taking set number two. Heeding my advice, he races into a 40-0 lead. But the errors creep back into his game and it’s 40-30. It’s more stressful than he would have wanted. It’s deuce when he nets a backhand volley. Nadal’s on the prowl here and Federer’s game is coming apart at the seams, netting a forehand to give up a break point. He saves it with an ace, but then he tamely nets another forehand. This is so sloppy from Federer. But another ace out wide gets him out of a hole of his own making, but he tumbles back in it after netting another backhand volley. Dearie me. Dearie me! A third identical ace saves Federer, who somehow holds when Nadal nets a sprawling forehand.
Rafa Nadal wins the second set 6-3 to level the final!
Bounce. Bounce. Bouncy bounce. Uhh! Uhh! Uhh! Federer nets a backhand. 15-0. Nadal spanks a forehand into the right corner. 30-0. Federer nets another backhand. 40-0. Federer hoicks a forehand long. The final is level. Ah yes. This feels familiar.
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Second set: Federer* 6-4, 3-5 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer is serving to stay in the set. From 0-15, he holds to 15, finding his range on both wings. Nadal will serve for it.
Second set: Federer 6-4, 2-5 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer sends a backhand wide to make it 15-0, nets one to make it 30-0 and balloons a forehand to make it 40-0. Nadal holds to love and moves a game away from levelling the final.
Second set: Federer* 6-4, 2-4 Nadal (*denotes server): At 15-0, Federer somehow elastically repels a monstrous Nadal forehand down the line and wins a draining rally when the Spaniard nets a forehand. He looks in control at 40-0. But Nadal makes it 40-15 with a scorching forehand return and it’s 40-30 after a double-fault. Federer has to regain his focus. He does with an excellent forehand winner to hold for the first time in this set. Nadal’s still a break up, though.
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Second set: Federer 6-4, 1-4 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer makes himself feel a bit better, ripping a forehand into the right corner to lead 0-15. More fearsome hitting on the forehand side makes it 0-30. It’s Nadal’s turn to feel the heat. He deals with it by fighting to 30-all, but another snorting forehand from Federer brings up a break point. Cutting loose and swinging freely, Federer pulls himself back into the net, yanking Nadal wide and clipping a forehand back into the open court to scrub out one of those two breaks.
Second set: Federer* 6-4, 0-4 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer is unravelling here, two shoddy forehands making it 0-30. Nadal needs no encouragement. He reads a wide serve and sends a backhand return down the line to seize three break points. Federer saves the first two, but not the third, another errant forehand pretty much handing Nadal the second set. Ouch, Roger. “Think we could be destined for another five setter, here, in which case I think you’d have to favour ... OH ANDY!!!” says Simon McMahon.
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Second set: Federer 6-4, 0-3 Nadal* (*denotes server): Nadal’s the dominant force at the moment, whistling a forehand away for 30-0. But Federer fights back to 30-all. Now he’s hunting for a break and it’s 30-40 when Nadal awkwardly loops a rushed backhand long. Federer can’t take the break point, though, wafting a forehand long, but he grabs a second opportunity after outwitting and outlasting Nadal at the net. A long rally ensues, but it’s back to deuce when Nadal pulls Federer wide and watches his opponent’s forehand fly wide. Nadal’s beginning to turn this into a grind. After more errors from Federer, Nadal holds.
Second set: Federer* 6-4, 0-2 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer begins the game shakily, a double fault making it 0-15. His serve, untouchable in the first set, is under pressure here and he nets a forehand to make it 0-30. All of a sudden, that nagging thought floats back into his mind: can I really beat this guy? Somehow, though, he gets back to 30-all. Nadal nets a forehand pass and can’t do anything about a Federer forehand that clips the net and lands on his side. But Nadal earns his first break point when Federer aims a gimme of a forehand at him again, presenting the Spaniard with an opportunity to pass him down the line. Federer keeps going there. It’s a brave move and he gets away with it a second time, Nadal netting a forehand, but he’s facing a second set point when he nets a backhand pass. This time, Nadal attacks the Federer backhand with punishing spin. We’ve seen this before. Federer nets a backhand slice and there’s the break for Nadal!
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Second set: Federer 6-4, 0-1 Nadal* (*denotes server): Nadal looked surprisingly weary at the end of that opening set, but he’s whizzing around again here, recovering from 0-15 to wrap up a straightforward hold with an ace out wide. The Spaniard fought back from a set down to beat Federer in four in their 2012 semi-final.
Roger Federer wins the first set 6-4!
Serving for the opening set, Federer’s under pressure immediately. Nadal drops a return short, but Federer strangely cracks his forehand straight at the Spaniard, who’s not going to miss this backhand pass. Two fine serves from Federer make it 30-15, though, and earns two set points when a brilliant low backhand forces Nadal to net a forehand. Federer seals the first set with an ace and inches closer to his 18th grand slam title!
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First set: Federer 5-4 Nadal* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the opening set, Nadal finds himself down 0-15 when Federer causes trouble with another backhand from left to right. Nadal nets on the run. Then he makes it 15-all with a solid forehand winner and aces for 30-15. Federer drops a backhand return just wide for 40-15 and Nadal holds to 30 with a gorgeous forehand. The Spaniard’s not out of this set yet.
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First set: Federer* 5-3 Nadal (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate the break, Federer serve-volleys at 15-0 and smashes confidently for 30-0. His gameplan is working wonderfully at the moment and he quickly makes it 40-0 with more fine net play. It’s another love service game for the Swiss, who must be loving this at the moment.
First set: Federer 4-3 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer brilliantly returns a second serve with a searing backhand into the right corner, then races forward to put away a volley for 0-15. Soon it’s 15-30, a baseline duel ending with Federer smashing a backhand down the line. Nadal is under pressure for the first time. The next point is stunning. Federer defends magnificently for a while, before wrestling momentum away from Nadal with some outstanding groundstrokes. Nadal can only scramble a ball into the air and that’s all the invitation Federer needs to advance and thrash a forehand volley into the right corner to earn two break points. Now then. The first big moment of the final and it’s Nadal who cracks, lifting a backhand from right to left wide! He challenges to no avail and Federer breaks!
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First set: Federer* 3-3 Nadal (*denotes server): “Uhh! Uhh! Uhh! Uhh!” ... “Out!” Nadal grunts and hustles, but knocks a backhand long to make it 15-0. Federer wallops a forehand to the left for a 30-0 lead. An ace makes it 40-0. A huge forehand is enough for Federer’s first love game.
First set: Federer 2-3 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer has a chance to win the opening point, but he slaps a backhand crosscourt instead of down the line, where there was space, and Nadal is there to send a forehand pass down the line for 15-0. He crunches into a 40-0 lead and comfortably holds to love again.
First set: Federer* 2-2 Nadal (*denotes server): The errors from Federer tend to come on the backhand side. He lifts one long to make it 15-all. Nadal’s moving well. But suggestions that Federer looks stiff might be off the mark. He volleys beautifully for 30-15, then punches a forehand down the line for 40-15. Then he finds his backhand, clipping it down the line to eke out a Nadal error.
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First set: Federer 1-2 Nadal* (*denotes server): Federer’s forehand is singing early on and he plays a dreamy tune to take the first point, smacking one down the line for 0-15. The game goes to 30-all and Nadal’s fortunate to move to 40-30 when he enjoys the benefit of a net cord. He holds to 30.
First set: Federer* 1-1 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer looked ready to engage in a few too many baseline duels in that opening game and he could do with more aggression here. Nadal doesn’t looked drained after that five-set semi, making it 15-all by breaking down the Federer backhand with a series of spinning forehands. Federer moves through the gears, though, and makes it 40-15 with a lovely forehand winner. Another big forehand sees him hold to 30.
If Rafa plays a great match he won't lose. Fed could play a great match and still lose. That's the difference for me.
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) January 29, 2017
First set: Federer 0-1 Nadal* (*denotes server): Rafael Nadal, the world No9, won the toss and chose to serve. Roger Federer, the world No17, will receive. Rafael Nadal, the world No9. Roger Federer, the world No17. It doesn’t feel right. But this does. They begin with a lengthy rally and it ends with Federer netting a forehand. More please! The next three points pass by in a blur, though, Nadal forcing errors from Federer and holding to love.
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No better way to get up for Nadal-Federer XXXIV, which goes off in the next few minutes. Enjoy the match. https://t.co/hulvvc7TRY
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) January 29, 2017
Tok! Tok! Tok! They’re knocking up. One potentially crucial element: Federer comes into this match nursing a slight groin injury.
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The players are out, the sun’s shining in Melbourne and the 2017 Australian Open men’s final will begin soon. Excited? You don’t have to answer that.
This is their ninth meeting in a grand slam final. Nadal has been dominant, winning six so far. He’s beaten Federer in the French Open in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011, in the Australian Open in 2009 and at Wimbledon in 2008. He also won in straight sets in their Australian Open semi-final three years ago. Federer triumphed at Wimbledon in 2006 and 2007. History favours Nadal. So does the clash of styles. His stubborn counterpunching has so often caused Federer’s stylish game to unravel.
Some pre-match reading: Kevin Mitchell’s wonderful preview.
Preamble
Hello readers. Hello nostalgia. The Williams sisters in the women’s final yesterday, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the men’s final today. Can it really be 2017? The answer is yes and before you ask, yes, 2016 did happen - all of it. Nor have you hopped in a time machine and travelled back to 2008, when things were so much simpler and all we had to worry about was a global financial crisis, which rather seems like small potatoes in comparison to the state of things now. But still, there’s always sport. And sport doesn’t get much better than Federer and Nadal.
Time waits for no man or woman, not even these two remarkable athletes. That harsh reality has been hammered home to both of them with gnawing regularity in recent years, sometimes with a little too much force, and few people thought we’d be about to witness this Australian Open final when the tennis season drew to a close last year. The days when it came as a surprise not to see one or both of Federer and Nadal competing in a grand slam final became a thing of the past a while ago. Injuries have plagued both of them, while younger bucks have been impertinent enough to overtake them. Novak Djokovic ruled tennis for what felt like an eternity; now Andy Murray is the world No1. Stan Wawrinka has three grand slams. The sport waits for the next batch of stars to emerge – the likes of Alex Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem.
But none of them are here today. Rolling back the years, it’s Federer and Nadal, reunited at long last, facing off in a grand slam final for the first time since the 2011 French Open (Nadal won that one, of course). What a treat. What a magnificent treat! We never thought we’d see this again, but here we are. Federer and Nadal. The greatest player of all time versus the ultimate competitor. Seventeen grand slam titles versus 14. Two titans of sport, and indeed life, back on the same court for the first time in almost two years. Nadal at the age of 30, Federer at the age of 35.
A few months ago, Federer helped Nadal open a tennis academy in Majorca and the Swiss suggested that they play an exhibition or a charity match some time soon, but he wasn’t sure when. They were both too injured to manage anything more than a spot of mini-tennis in front of the juniors. The end, it seemed, was nigh. Federer arrived in Melbourne apparently covered in rust after his 2016 was cut short by knee troubles, while a wrist injury ruined Nadal’s year. But they have roared back with a vengeance, despite their lack of match practice. Federer, 35, was resplendent against Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori and Mischa Zverev, before dealing with the pugnacious Wawrinka, while Nadal, 30, tore into Milos Raonic in the quarters and won a classic against Grigor Dimitrov in the semis.
Dimitrov came oh so close to scuppering the dream final, but keeping these two apart is not easy. The way they have returned from their injuries merely adds to their legacy and while they will both be feeling weary, do not mistake this one for a legends’ match. They’re not here to entertain us, they’re here to win. They meet for the 35th time – Nadal leads 23-11 and arguably starts as the slight favourite given that he is the one player who has been able to successfully insert himself deep inside Federer’s head – and there’s only one thing all of us can do: relish it.
Play begins at: 7.30pm in Melbourne, 8.30am in London.
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