An emotional Roger Federer wiped away tears and urged Rafa Nadal to stay with him on the tour for years to come after felling his great rival to win his fifth Australian Open on Sunday. Completing a brilliant comeback after six months out of the game, the nerve-shredding 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win gave Federer a long-awaited 18th grand slam title that many thought beyond the 35-year-old Swiss. The ball was good and Federer jumped in the air, with tears welling up in his eyes, having won his first grand slam title since Wimbledon in 2012. Federer was presented with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup by Australian great Rod Laver, sharing an embrace with the 11-times grand slam champion. ‘Happy to accept a draw’“I’d like to congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback,” Federer said at the trophy ceremony.

Source: Hindustan Times January 29, 2017 14:02 UTC