Wow, what an Australian Open. Federer vs. Wawrinka in one Semi-final. Nadal still in it!
Both Murray and Djokovic lost, which is surprising, too.
Can Roger actually win this thing? I would not put it past him.
A Fed vs. Nadal final would be…pleasing.
But FFS, Andy etc
Federer wins a thrilling match against his friend Wawrinka.
Wow, what a start to 2017. Fed. could win this thing!
And Serena vs. Venus. I would be so happy if Fed wins.
If you keep making the same prediction long enough, it might come true…
Please, please, please give us a bonus installment of the Federer-Nadal saga
Yes! It is 2009 again!
Let’s make tennis great again! Hope we can believe in!
It’s Federer vs. Nadal for the title! Well, one of them is winning a major this year.
Shows 2 things. First how bad the field is in both the men and women’s tennis. There are no young up and comers who will be anything like the Nadal, Federer, or Novak. Second, the young are either training wrong and getting injured early or they care less. If they were all just getting better we wouldn’t have an all 30 finals.
Or, you know, it could show that the over-30s just got lucky and got through the draw, which got cannibalized by itself. The most likely result doesn’t always occur, you know.
I could kind of agree if it was just one or two old people getting through, but 4 really push the odds. And on the women’s side no one was even really close. On the men’s side, the old people won the 5 setters. I just think there’s either a training problem with the young or a desire problem. You may be right about luck, but I still don’t see anyone young really being dominant in the men’s side coming along. None seem consistent. And on the women’s side, Serena could dominate for the next 4 years if she wants because that side is weaker than the men’s. My picks, Nadal in 4. Serena in 2, 6-3, 6-4.
I think it’s just that Serena, Roger, Rafa, and Novak are all very special talents coming to just past their prime at the same time, and no-one 10 years younger has reached their level yet, even though they are no doubt in (slight) decline. In other words, there are lots of talented young tennis players out there, full of desire and with the best possible training, who just can’t quite bridge that gap yet.
Johanna Konta was defeated by Serena in the quarter-final but it was the first time they had played, which just adds to the inherent disadvantage.
There are 60 GS Singles titles owned by this quartet. It’ll be a lifetime achievement award ceremony.
Wow I didn’t think Federer had another slam in him. And if this is his last one, you couldn’t have scripted it better than a five-setter against Nadal after being a break down in the final set. Winning a slam more than 13 years after his first one is just stunning. I wonder if anyone else has achieved that at least in the Open era.
Great Tennis. I have been waiting a long time for Federer to win his 18th Slam to match Nicklaus 18 Majors.
Sampras and Nadal both have 14 Slams, which is the smae number of Majors for Tiger Woods.
Not sure which tennis rivalry I have enjoyed more. Rafa vs Roger or Chrissy vs Martina. Both have been fantastic.
Federer in the fifth set was like the Fed of 10 years ago. A player wold play out of his skin and basically outplay the FedExpress. Then Roger would raise his game. The player would raise his game in reply. Roger would raise it again and run out winner.
Of course, the one player he could not do that against was Nadal. Hence Rafa’s Roddickesque look at the presentation "how the fuck did I lose?
Sampras 12 years between US Opens 1990 and 2002
Agassi: 11 years between Wimbledon 1992 and Aus Open 2003.
Becker: 11 years between Wimbledon '85 and the Australian Open '96
Are the closest I can think.
Of course Serena first Grand Slam was 1999 US Open.
So happy. Federer in the 5th is perfect.
He could honestly retire right now and ride off into the sunset. He won’t because he’s playing so well, but what an great moment.
Ken Rosewall won the Australian in 1953, 1955 and 1971, 1972.
The French in 1953 and 1968.
The US in 1956 and 1970.
Wimbledon in 1954, 1956 and 1970, 1974.
From 1956 to 1968 he was playing professionally and couldn’t play in the slams until they became open tournaments.
Interestingly Rosewall has a letter hand delivered to Federer at every Australian Open wishing him luck. Australian Open 2017: What’s in the letter Ken Rosewall writes to Roger Federer?
I only saw the highlights which of course give a biased view by their nature, but that final certainly lived up to the hype. This is why we have 5-set matches. Clearly the fitness of both men is still incredible. I particularly enjoyed Roger’s half-volley winner down the line, from corner to corner.
One other thing this final made me appreciate more than ever before is the speed of the ball. You totally lose that due to the TV camera angle, and as Roger appears to stroke another backhand in leisurely fashion you can easily mistake it for a gentle warm-up shot. Then it shoots past the player at the other end who started only three steps away from it.
A friend of mine has been lucky enough to see Federer in action several times. He said it was an education to watch the game but only watch Federer. You see him prepare, whip the ball effortlessly back, slight positional adjustment, prepare, whip, adjust (repeat as required). It all looks, as you say, like a warm-up.
Then switch your attention to the other guy. He’s running hell-for leather, cross court as if his life depended on it, all the time.
As good as the final was I thought his demolition of Berdych earlier in the tournament was even better. That was absolute vintage Federer.
Anyhow, I’m delighted he won. There really isn’t a better role model and, though I repeat myself, A whipped Federer forehand is one of the most beautiful sights in sport.
He won’t have many big tournaments left in him but I suspect as long as the body is willing he’ll provide a danger to any opponent.
And no need for any further debate. the greatest tennis player ever to grace the court.