Roger Federer was in tears as he won a thrilling, five-set Australian Open final against his great rival Rafael Nadal to clinch a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title on Sunday.
Federer won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours 38 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to move four major titles ahead of Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time winners' list.
2009 >>> 2017#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ZceEmDYstc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
The Swiss marvel also became the oldest man in the post-1968 Open era to win a major final since Australia's Ken Rosewall at the 1972 Australian Open.
It was Federer's fifth Australian title in his sixth final, and ended a long, seven-year wait to win again in Melbourne after his 2010 triumph over Andy Murray.
It was the 35th meeting between the two great rivals with Nadal now leading 23-12 and 6-3 in major finals, including his five-set win over Federer in the 2009 Australian final.
Here's how Twitterati reacted to another all-time classic between two great champions.
The whole world salutes your tears of victory today @rogerfederer, your play was divine ... #AusOpen #AusOpenFinal
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 29, 2017
Sheer display of class by both Federer and Nadal. What a game it was! Congratulations @rogerfederer! #AusOpen
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 29, 2017
Some epic tennis played by @rogerfederer and @RafaelNadal today at #AusOpen - congrats to Roger on #18!!!
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 29, 2017
Best scenario you could imagine😭Amazing match,2 Legends @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal 🙌🙌🙌 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wTX7KPSTfH
— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) January 29, 2017
Match conclusion: #GOAT gets knocked down, #GOAT lands on his feet, #GOAT kicks some ass. Federer wins his 18th Slam at #ausopen. pic.twitter.com/3OkHHJNilA
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 29, 2017
Age Is Just A Number. #Roger #Federer Beats Rafael #Nadal In #AusOpen To Bring Up His 18th Grand Slam Singles Title.pic.twitter.com/5BxpLIt9lO
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) January 29, 2017
What an incredible final in Melbourne! I followed every minute of this intense match. Congratulations to @rogerfederer! 👏🏼 #AusOpen
— Philipp Lahm (@philipplahm) January 29, 2017
What a match and the legend @rogerfederer wins.
Mazaa aa gaya.#AusOpen#FedererNadal pic.twitter.com/3mKHlF2GJq— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) January 29, 2017
How awesome was that reaction from Roger! The wins still mean as much to him as they did 10 yrs ago & that's why he's the greatest #AusOpen
— Peter Helliar (@pjhelliar) January 29, 2017
Congratulations to Federer on winning his 18th grand Slam. What a legend. Tough luck Nadal
🇦🇺 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🇫🇷 🏆🇬🇧 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🇺🇸 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/LQK3kjCRE1— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) January 29, 2017
Unbelievable, just unbelievable! What a freak. Federer got to be one of best handful of athletes of my lifetime. Outstanding. #AusOpen
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) January 29, 2017
And it indeed was a day to remember for tennis fans around the world!
Truly a clash of the titans! What a match Congratulations @rogerfederer on winning the #AusOpen finals. pic.twitter.com/8TMJ6ZXZUK
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 29, 2017
In the presence of greatness. #Bel18ve #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/axEzbxxbn9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
Summed up perfectly by this tweet.
I think the world needed that match
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 29, 2017
With AFP inputs