Finally! Roger Federer’s long-awaited 18th Tennis Grand Slam clinches status as greatest ever

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SOURCE: FOX NEWS

URL: http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/roger-federer-australian-open-win-rafael-nadal-18th-grand-slam-best-ever-greatest-goat-match-012917

by Chris Chase




He did it.

Roger Federer finally won that elusive 18th major on Sunday night at the Australian Open, ending years of speculation and finally answering the “will he or won’t he” debate with a thunderous affirmative, defeating Rafael Nadal in a five-set classic 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to win his first major in nearly five years, his first in Melbourne in seven years (a record gap between titles) and perhaps send the final salvo in the three-man race to become known as the greatest tennis player who ever lived.

For a 35-year-old (Federer is the oldest Slam winner since 1972), it’s an amazing achievement. For a 35-year-old coming off a six-month injury layoff, it’s remarkable. For a 35-year-old coming off a six-month injury layoff who had to play three five-set matches in the last week, all against top players in the world (Nishikori, Wawrinka and Nadal), it’s nothing short of remarkable. And then throw in the fact that Nadal has owned Federer for the better part of a decade and it becomes even more amazing. We got a treat on Sunday morning in America between Federer and Nadal, two of the best to ever play the game.

Theirs was a battle that was as much mental as physical. Federer neutralized the advantages Nadal has used to take a 23-11 lifetime lead on the Swiss by playing up in the court and taking the ball quickly. But more important than anything is that he looked like he had the self-belief to beat Nadal, something he hasn’t always had.

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