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Social Reacts To Federer's Sixth Australian Open Title

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2018

Social Reacts To Federer’s Sixth Australian Open Title

Jan282018

Swiss adds 20th Grand Slam to legacy

Roger Federer’s chapter in the annals of tennis history has earned yet another entry with his triumph Down Under: a sixth Australian Open title and his 20th Grand Slam overall. Fellow players, athletes, celebrities and even the president of Switzerland took to social media to congratulate the superstar on his extraordinary five-set win over Marin Cilic in Sunday’s final. 

You May Also Like: Federer Beats Cilic For 20th Major Crown

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Tears & Triumph: Federer Makes History Again

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2018

Tears & Triumph: Federer Makes History Again

Jan282018

The 36-year-old claims his 20th major trophy at the 2018 Australian Open

It was 2003 Wimbledon when a talented 21-year-old named Roger Federer — who had not advanced past the quarter-finals at the Grand Slams in 14 tries — finally broke through to win his first major title. The Swiss sobbed with joy.

“To lift the trophy is something you don’t expect. But when it happens, it’s, for me, very tough with the emotions,” Federer told the media 15 years ago. “I’m just happy to be on the board. It’s so nice, if I look at all the players who have won here, a lot have been idols to me. Just to be on the board with [Bjorn] Borg and these people, it’s just nice, to be a part of history at Wimbledon and in Grand Slams in general.”

Little did Federer know that he was just getting started. And nearly 15 years later, on Sunday evening, the inimitable Swiss raised his sixth Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after beating sixth seed Marin Cilic to win the 2018 Australian Open, extending his Grand Slam championship titles record to 20.

“Winning is just an absolute dream come true. The fairytale continues for us, for me,” Federer told the crowd on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night. “After the great year I had last year, it’s incredible.”

Once again, Federer choked back tears. Some things never change. Tears and more importantly, triumph, for the greatest player of all time.

Federer

The emotions show that Federer — however hard it is to believe sometimes given his accomplishments — is human. He even admitted battling nerves ahead of his record 30th Grand Slam championship final.

“I was so bloody nervous all day. It was eating me up inside,” Federer said in his post-final press conference. “That’s why, when it was all over, I was just so relieved.”

Federer did show some nerves in the fourth set, uncharacteristically losing his break advantage as the trophy loomed in the distance. But he showed his champions’ guile by completely changing the momentum in the fifth set against a dangerous opponent in Cilic who had found his range.

You May Also Like: Federer Beats Cilic For 20th Major Crown

The 36-year-old even left the namesake of the court he won on, Rod Laver, scrambling to capture the moment when Federer lifted the trophy.

“I didn’t see that through my thick tears, that he was taking a picture of me crying,” Federer said. “When I start thinking about what I was going to say, every subject I touch actually is very meaningful and very emotional… I hoped over time in the speech I would start to relax a little bit, but I couldn’t.”

It is fitting that for a player who has provided the tennis world some of its greatest thrills, all Federer wants to do is keep giving it more.

“You guys. You fill the stadiums. You make me nervous. You make me go out and practice,” Federer told the crowd during the trophy ceremony. “Thank you for everything.”

Nobody could criticise the Swiss if he never wins a major title again — he has broken countless records and by virtue of Sunday’s victory became the second-oldest Grand Slam championship winner in the Open Era (Ken Rosewall, 1972 Australian Open).

But at 36, Federer is still going strong and having won three of the past five majors, does not appear to be slowing down. The victory against Cilic moves the father of four to within 155 points of Rafael Nadal for the top spot in the ATP Rankings — which Federer has not occupied since 4 November 2012 — and also ties him with Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic atop the Australian Open titles list at six apiece.

Roger Federer’s Australian Open Titles

 Year Won  Opponent  Score
 2004  Marat Safin  7-6(3), 6-4, 6-2
 2006  Marcos Baghdatis  5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2
 2007  Fernando Gonzalez  7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4
 2010  Andy Murray  6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11)
 2017  Rafael Nadal   6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
 2018  Marin Cilic  6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

But equalling another record is not what stands out to the 96-time tour-level titlist.

“It’s about living the emotions that I went through tonight again at the trophy ceremony, going through a tough rollercoaster match, five-setter against Cilic, who is a great player, and then getting No. 6 here, No. 20 overall. It’s just a very special moment,” Federer said. “Defending my title from last year, sort of the fairytale continues. That’s what stands out for me, maybe not equalling Emerson or Novak. They had their own unbelievable careers. I admire what they’re doing and have done with ‘Emmo’. Yeah, it’s definitely a very special moment in my life again.”

It isn’t that long ago that for perhaps the first time since winning that 2003 Wimbledon title, Federer’s status appeared uncertain. A year ago, the Swiss arrived at Melbourne Park after a six-month injury layoff, seeded 17th. His last major victory? 2012 Wimbledon.

If that was the beginning of the end, Federer would have still been considered one of if not the greatest ever, his awards cabinet filled with 17 major trophies. But one year and three Grand Slam championship victories later, and the World No. 2 may be playing his best tennis yet at the tender age of 36.

Federer

How long can this Federer Renaissance last?

“No idea. Honest, I don’t know. I have no idea,” Federer said. “I can’t believe it myself.”

Here is to hoping it continues, because the day Roger Federer hangs up his racquets, it won’t be the Swiss in tears — it will be the entire tennis world.

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Australian Open: Difficult conditions under closed roof, says Marin Cilic

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2018

Marin Cilic says it was difficult to adjust to conditions at the Rod Laver Arena after Australian Open organisers closed the roof for the men’s final.

Roger Federer beat Cilic 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 to win a sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title.

Temperatures of 37C would not normally invoke the extreme heat policy (40C), but organisers said the humidity was behind the decision to close the roof.

“Mentally it was tough,” said losing finalist Cilic about the roof closure.

“Throughout the tournament I played all my matches outdoors, also preparing for a hot day, 38 degrees. Then first match for the final to play with the roof closed, it’s difficult.

“I have to say that decision, could it have been different? I guess so.

“It was just a little bit difficult to adjust, especially the beginning of the match. With the roof closed, it was way, way cooler than I expected.

“That was very, very difficult, especially for the final to be in that kind of a situation.”

‘Federer one of best ever indoors’

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said the indoor conditions favoured Federer.

“It’s an outdoor tournament. Why is the roof closed?” Cash told BBC Radio 5 live.

“The way Roger plays, he swings so hard at the ball and takes it so early, any wind or variation of the ball moving will take it away from him.

“It’s why he’s one of the best players ever indoors.”

Federer said he was “surprised” by the ruling, but that playing indoors did not affect his preparation.

“I was surprised to hear they had the heat rule in place for a night match,” said the 36-year-old Swiss. “I never heard that before.

“When I arrived to the courts, I was totally ready to play outdoors. They told me they were thinking it will probably be indoor. Then they kept me posted along the way.

“Half an hour before, we got the word that it’s going to be indoors. For me, it doesn’t change anything in the preparation, to be honest. I was ready for either.”

‘I can’t believe they’ve closed the roof’

During the first week of the Grand Slam, players battled through two days of 40C heat fully exposed to the conditions, as organisers declined to invoke the heat policy.

However, the Australian Open said the referee’s decision on Sunday was based on “qualified and professional advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and the tournament’s chief medical officer” at Melbourne Park.

The humidity at the start of the match, measured using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, was 32.6 – exceeding the threshold of 32.5.

“At no other time during the event this year has the WGBT reading reached the threshold,” organisers said in a statement.

But it was a decision that was still met with disdain from those watching the final.

“I can’t believe they’ve closed the roof,” said British doubles player Jamie Murray on Twitter.

Former British number one Greg Rusedski added: “Absolutely ridiculous that the roof is closed for the Australian Open. Grand Slams are outdoor events. Yes it’s hot but the court is under shade and an evening match.”

Analysis – ‘hard to argue in extreme conditions’

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

It was an extremely marginal call by the referee to close the roof, but the decision will have been taken in the knowledge that Simona Halep was treated in hospital for dehydration after the women’s final.

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the humidity in Melbourne was significantly lower for the start of the men’s final than it had been 24 hours earlier. But it was five degrees hotter – a stifling 37 degrees – when Federer and Cilic got underway.

The index was hovering right on the threshold to trigger the extreme heat policy when the players began their warm up, and therefore the referee was able to exercise his discretion to close the roof.

It was a surprise when the news filtered through ahead of this night time final. It was an advantage for Federer, given his prowess indoors, and he has also benefitted from being able to play six of his seven matches at night in each of the last two years.

But as someone who takes the view that the roof on the three main courts should be closed more readily (and play halted on the outside courts) on these extreme Melbourne days, then it is hard to argue against it when the threshold is finally breached.

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Cilic Eyes No. 1 In ATP Rankings This Year

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2018

Cilic Eyes No. 1 In ATP Rankings This Year

Jan282018

The Croatian moves up to No. 3 in the ATP Rankings after Melbourne

Marin Cilic was close, just not close enough.

Playing with great focus and pin-point accuracy on his world class groundstrokes, the 29 year old Croatian battled back from a break down in the fourth set and found himself with break points of his own to start the decisive set in the Australian Open final, which would see Roger Federer emerge victorious after three tense hours. 

One return into the net. One wide. 

And that was it. 

Federer would run away with the fifth set, claiming his record-equaling sixth Australian Open crown (alongside Roy Emerson, Novak Djokovic) and an unprecedented 20th Grand Slam title in the Swiss’ storied career. Cilic had come so close to achieving a second Grand Slam success following his triumph at the US Open in 2014, yet came up short once more. 

Nevertheless, Cilic remained optimistic about his showing in the final, becoming the only player over the fortnight to take a set – two, in fact – off of the defending champion, who had hitherto maneuvered his way through the draw with relative ease. 

“I was hitting the ball great. I was just playing phenomenal,” said the Croatian. “Then first game of the fifth set was more or less crucial at the end with having those… break points that I didn’t convert. [It was] just a little bit tougher game, my [next] service game… [It] just ran away from me. 

“But looking overall, I’m really pleased with the performance,” he added, assessing his efforts, which included 45 winners and 16 aces. “[I] played great tennis over these two weeks. I had tough matches, tough opponents, beating Rafa [Nadal], reaching [the] final, which is definitely amazing. Looking at my own game, I think I improved a lot. I’m playing great tennis. That’s really exciting for me for this 2018.”

You May Also Like: Federer Beats Cilic For 20th Major Crown

Cilic will rise to No. 3 in the ATP Rankings next week, eclipsing his career-best of No. 4 achieved in the fall of last year. Citing multiple improvements in his game, the 29-year-old has his eyes on the top prizes – and the top ranking – in the coming season. 

“My ultimate goal is to reach No. 1,” said Cilic. “That’s what I’m working for. Even in these last one or two years, the progress that I did is big. Last year, I improved a lot in different areas. Now in these last couple months, I improved even more. So that gives me big confidence.”

As the ATP World Tour picks up pace again in February, Cilic is slated to play a series of clay court events in South America before he tries for his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown (Cincinnati 2016) at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open presented by Itau. With “World No. 3” as his titular heading into the next swing of the 2018 season, Cilic is taking nothing for granted.

“No. 3 feels and looks amazing, especially behind [Federer and Nadal] as well. But I know how difficult it is, knowing as well Novak and Andy [Murray] and many other guys had a tough last season. For me it’s a great time that I improved and that I am continuing to improve. Big times ahead for me.” 

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Australian Open: Age no issue, says Roger Federer after 20th Grand Slam title

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2018

Roger Federer said “age is not an issue” after he beat Marin Cilic to win his sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title at the age of 36.

The Swiss second seed won 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 to retain the title he won 12 months ago.

Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open at 37, is the only man older than Federer to have won a major singles title in the Open era.

“I’ve won three slams now in 12 months. I can’t believe it myself,” he said.

“I’ve just got to keep a good schedule, stay hungry, then maybe good things can happen. Then I don’t think age is an issue, per se. It’s just a number.

“But I need to be very careful in my planning, really decide beforehand what are my goals, what are my priorities. I think that’s what’s going to dictate how successful I will be.

“Exciting times ahead. As a professional, it’s what we do. But I’m happy I’m in that position right now.”

  • How Federer won the Australian Open
  • Federer claims sixth Melbourne trophy
  • Wozniacki wins first Grand Slam title

Federer was playing his 72nd Grand Slam tournament, and making his 19th appearance in the main draw in Melbourne.

After a gap of almost five years between winning his 17th and 18th major titles, he has now won three of the last five, having also claimed an eighth Wimbledon title in July.

Remarkably, Federer has now won 10% of the 200 men’s singles titles on offer at the majors since tennis turned professional in 1968.

Asked how he continues to thrive at the top of such a competitive sport, Federer paid tribute to his wife and parents, adding: “I think by not overplaying, not playing every tournament possible.

“I enjoy practice. Not minding the travel. Having a great team around me, they make it possible.”

Federer was tearful as he accepted the trophy, saying: “It was what it was. I wish it wasn’t so sometimes.

“At the same time, I’m happy I can show emotions and share it with the people.

“If I got emotional, it’s because it was a full crowd again. No people in the stadium wouldn’t make me emotional, I’ll tell you that. This is for them really also.”

Cilic rues missed chance in decider

Cilic made a poor start, losing his first two service games and quickly falling 4-0 behind, and he felt the decision to close the roof under the extreme heat rule played a part.

“I didn’t mind to have the roof closed, but it was a huge difference in temperature from having outside 38C,” said the Croatian sixth seed.

“Then when you came in, it was like 23C or 24C, I don’t know. It was way cooler than I expected.”

Both men have strong records indoors but Federer was unsure whether the decision to use the roof would benefit him.

“I didn’t mind the heat, to be honest,” said the Swiss.

“I thought maybe for a bigger guy like Marin, maybe it’s also going to slow him down faster throughout the match. At the end, it’s not my decision. They kept me posted along the way.”

It was the ninth time in 10 meetings that Cilic had lost to Federer, but he felt he missed a great chance when he was pushing for the break at the start of the final set.

“I was hitting the ball great. I was just playing phenomenal,” he said.

“Then first game of the fifth set was more or less crucial at the end with having those break points that I didn’t convert.”

Reaction – ‘Astonishing then, incredible now’

‘It looks like he can go on forever’

Former British number one Andrew Castle: “It’s the 127 other people in the draw who should be crying. Imagine what the outpouring is going to be when he announces he doesn’t want to play any more – when he’s concluded this amazing career.

“Some people will be surprised about the emotion that he’s showing on his 20th but that’s the depths that you have to go to to win these things. That’s the amazing thing along with his tennis, he keeps wanting to do this. It’s a charming moment and you can see what it means.”

Former Australian Open finalist John Lloyd: “What I loved about it is that he’s surprising himself. He can’t almost believe it. We all look at him and take it for granted but he doesn’t take it for granted. It’s a challenge all the time.

“Every time you see him you wonder if it’s going to be the last time, but he looks like he can go on forever.”

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Federer’s Short-Term Shot At No. 1

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2018

Federer’s Short-Term Shot At No. 1

Jan282018

Swiss moves to within 155 points of Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer is within reach of the No. 1 ATP Ranking for the first time in over five years after successfully defending his Australian Open title at Melbourne Park on Monday. But he needs to act fast!

Federer, who last held the top spot on 4 October 2012, moved to within 155 points of Rafael Nadal after claiming his 20th Grand Slam title and could dethrone Nadal as World No. 1 in early March when the ATP World Tour 500 events in Dubai and Acapulco conclude.

On 5 March, Nadal will drop the 300 points he earned last year by reaching the Acapulco final (l. Querrey). Federer, who suffered a shock second-round loss to Evgeny Donksoy in the Dubai second round last year, will drop just 45 points.

Federer is yet to announce whether he will take a wild card into Dubai. Nadal is entered to play Acapulco.

Should Federer not play Dubai, Nadal will need to reach the semi-finals of Acapulco to retain No 1. If Federer does play Dubai, his fate will be in his own hands. The Swiss can clinch No. 1 by winning the title. But anything less than his 97th career title will not be enough if Nadal wins the Acapulco title.

Federer, who last year stayed true to his word to put playing schedule and health ahead of chasing No. 1, may see Dubai as his best near-term opportunity to add to the 302 weeks he has amassed at the top of the men’s game. In March, Federer has 2000 points to defend after last year’s back-to-back ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title runs in Indian Wells and Miami. Nadal, in that same period, has 690 points to defend. That is 1310 points less than Federer.

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