The Legend- Roger Federer

ROGER FEDERER won his 6th Australian Open and his 20th Grand Slam singles title on Sunday after defeating Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. At 36, Federer is the oldest man to win the Australian Open since one of his idols, Ken Rosewall in 1972. “I don’t think a 36-year-old should be a favorite of a tournament it should not the case,” Federer said before the tournament began and during the trophy ceremony “the fairytale continues, for us, for me. After the great year, I had last year, it’s incredible”.

It took Federer just 24 minutes to wrap up the first set. The big occasion probably got to Cilic and it took him an entire set to get into any kind of rhythm. Federer, on the other hand, glided through his service games in the first set. He won the first set without having to break a sweat. Federer fought off 2 break points on his serve in the first game of the 5th set and then broke Cilic n the next game. He challenged the second serve at 30-30 which turned out to be a double fault, then hit a deep return on the next point which Cilic failed to handle. Federer held serve to up by 3-0 in the next tense game and then accelerated to the finish line. Federer who had not won any major title since Wimbledon in 2012, headed merrily home with a replica of Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, the trophy awarded to the Australian Open men’s singles champion. Federer felt anxious before his match and was overwhelmed with emotions when he won his 20th Grand Slam. It has been nearly 15 years since Federer with a ponytail and no stubble won his first title in Wimbledon and 14 years since he won his first title in Melbourne. “There are some good young guys coming but we need Roger for a little while longer,” said Neville Godwin, the coach of Hyeon Chung, rising star of South Korea who retired with blisters on both feet during the semifinal against Federer.

You see Roger Federer cry like a little baby after winning the Australian Open and realize that tears are purest and most beautiful form of emotion. A 36-year-old man crying in front of thousand in stands and millions on TV. What a heartwarming sight. Real men do cry. Tears are beautiful. Living your dream is beautiful. Never giving up is beautiful. Sports is beautiful. King Federer.

Love and respect.

By Surabhi

Team Sportsnasha