Roger Federer Archives | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Sunday / December 15.
  • Roger Federer finally won his elusive 18th Grand Slam title.

    And in so doing he took a major step toward solidifying his position as the GOAT in men’s tennis.

    With his epic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over his arch-rival Rafael Nadal, Federer won his first major title since capturing Wimbledon in 2012 and stretched his Grand Slam lead over Nadal to 18-14.

    Had Nadal prevailed, the lead would have shrunk to 17-15 with the French Open looming. Nadal has won nine of his 14 majors in Paris. Now Nadal remains tied with Pete Sampras for second all-time.

    “Roger Federer has solidified himself as the Greatest of All Time,” John McEnroe said on ESPN.

    With the win, the 35-year-old Federer became the oldest man since Ken Rosewall in 1972 to win a major.

    Federer also won the title as the father of four, as the No. 17 seed and after having taken a six-month layoff after re-aggravating a knee injury at Wimbledon last year.

    “Tennis is a tough sport,” Federer said. “There’s no draws but if there was going to be one I would have been very happy to accept one tonight.”

    “It was a great match, I think probably Roger deserved it a little bit more than me,” Nadal said. “I’m just gonna keep trying. I feel that I’m back at a very high level, so I’m just going to keep fighting the whole season.

    “I’ll let Roger get the trophy and I’ll see you next year,” Nadal told the crowd with a huge smile.

    Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal.

    The dream throwback final is on at the Australian Open.

    “I feel that this rivalry is talked about outside the tennis world and that is good for our sport,” Nadal said. “The combination of two different styles that makes the matches really special.”

    Yet no reasonable sports fan could have foreseen this matchup when the year’s first Grand Slam tournament began two weeks ago.

    The 35-year-old Federer entered as the No. 17 seed and hadn’t played an official tournament in six months after a layoff triggered by re-aggravating a knee injury in his semifinal loss to Milos Raonic at Wimbledon.

    Federer’s last Grand Slam title came at Wimbledon in 2012. His last Grand Slam victory on hardcourts was back at the 2010 Australian Open.

    Roger Federer survived a tough five-set semifinal encounter with his Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka to advance to the Australian Open final for the first time since 2010.

    Now the question is: Will his longtime rival Rafael Nadal join him for a throwback final?

    Federer, the 17-time Grand Slam champion and No. 17 seed here, looked like he would cruise in straight sets over No. 4 Wawrinka after winning the first two, but ultimately required five sets to take him out, 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3.

    “It feels amazing,” said Federer, who is playing in in his first tournament after a six-month layoff because he re-aggravated a left knee injury. “I never, ever in my wildest dreams thought I was going to be coming this far here in Australia and here I am. I’ve got a couple days off, it’s beautiful. I’m so happy.”

    Federer, 35, will now seek to become the oldest Grand Slam champion since Ken Rosewall in 1972 when he faces the winner between No. 9 Nadal and No. 15 Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final. Nadal and Dimitrov meet in Friday’s second semifinal.

    } });
    X