Here follows the Roger Federer Australian Open speech that might just moisten your eyes.
As Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal fought the dying of the light, their rivalry proved eternal. Federer won his eighteenth Grand Slam title in a thrilling, five-set clash lasting three hours and thirty-eight minutes. Both seemed determined to take the match the distance: Roger winning the first and the third (6-4; 6-1), Rafa took the second and fourth (3-6; 3-6) before an epic final set was sealed 6-3 by Federer.
That final set showed a healthy contempt for momentum: Nadal broke Federer in the first game, yet Federer broke back twice to seal victory on his own serve in the ninth game.
Federer's eighteenth Grand Slam will likely join the ranks of Jack Nicklaus' 1986 win at Augusta: the last, munificent stand by a legend of the sport. The Swiss is 35, and has been out for the best part of a year with a knee injury, yet he battled through to pick up another piece of silverware, his first Grand Slam since winning at Wimbledon in 2012.
It may well be his last, as Federer seemed to hint towards retirement at the end of the speech: 'I hope to see you next year, but if not it's been a wonderful year'. He also speaks well about Nadal, saying that he would have been happy to share the title with his greatest foe
Drink it in: Federer's brilliance is such that his winning is routine, but is never dull.
Roger Federer Australian Open Speech
Some fine words by Federer, to crown a fifth Australian Open title of his career. The rest of the Grand Slam set is made up of seven Wimbledon titles, five U.S. Opens and a solitary French Open victory.
You can relive the ecstasy of a great clash with the reaction by astonished viewers here.
