The highly anticipated match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer ended in a win for Nadal and tears from Federer. The match between the two tennis greats ended with a ‘7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2’ victory for Nadal.
Nadal is the first Spanish tennis player to win a male singles title in the Australian Open.
“Very special, for me,” Said Nadal commenting on his singles win “A dream win here, one Grand Slam on hard court. I worked very hard … all my life ‘to improve’ outside of clay. Today was really lot of emotions on court. I was there with the best player I ever saw.”
However, the loss was not easy for Federer who was counting on a win to equal Pete Sampras’ record. He stood on the court, as Nadal was about to be awarded the Australian cup. He was sobbing.
“In the first moment you’re disappointed, you’re shocked, you’re sad, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you,” He finally said. “The problem is you can’t go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You’re stuck out there. It’s the worst feeling. … It’s rough.”
Later, Nadal approached Federer and helped console him saying, “Remember, you’re a great champion, you’re one of the best in history. You’re going to improve on the 14 of Sampras.”
The game between Nadal and Federer lasted for five sets. It was a first for the Australian Open since the 1988 match between Pat Cash and Mats Wilander.