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At first sight, the headline on the front page of the local Melbourne paper seemed faintly daft. “Roger Federer is on the brink of tennis immortality today,” it read, “as he fights for his 20th major title.” What, you mean he isn’t there already?
But numbers have real meaning in sport, and it turns out that they are important to Federer as well. Perhaps the most surprising thing about his five-set victory over Marin Cilic was how emotional he was afterwards, more emotional than we have ever seen him after a win. After a choked-up acceptance speech that ended with tears streaming down his face, he explained that the 20-slam barrier had been weighing on his mind all day.
“During the match I constantly thought about the fact that I could reach 20,” Federer told the Swiss TV station SRF. “I was nervous the whole day, I thought about what would happen if I lose, if I win. That's why I broke down during the speech.”
Those nerves may explain why this was not one of the greatest Federer performances, despite a wonderful start in which he ran away with the first four games in just 12 minutes. He was showing no mercy at this stage, not even to the man he shared cocktails with in November, when he and Cilic found themselves holidaying on the same luxury island in the Maldives.
Curiously, though, Federer’s game flickered up and down all evening like a weak mobile signal. When he was nailing his first serves – something he only managed to do in the oddly numbered sets of his 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory – he was almost unplayable, because he was winning 80 per cent of those points. But when his rhythm fell away – and he made only nine of 25 first serves in the fourth set – he found himself stretched uncomfortably around the court, as the tenacious Cilic imposed his extra height, reach and strength.
Media playback is not supported on this device Highlights: Roger Federer beats Marin Cilic to win 20th Grand Slam
Australian Open final Coverage: Watch highlights of the final on BBC Two from 13:00 GMT.
Roger Federer won his sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title with a five-set victory over Marin Cilic.
The Swiss lost five games in a row as he dropped the fourth set but recovered to win 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1.
Federer, 36, becomes only the fourth player after Margaret Court, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf to win 20 or more major singles titles.
"It's a dream come true and the fairytale continues," said Federer, who has won three of the last five majors.
The final was played under the Rod Laver Arena roof as the tournament's extreme heat policy was invoked.
Despite starting at 19:30 local time in Melbourne, the conditions were if anything more testing than 24 hours earlier, when Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep played to the point of exhaustion in the women's final.
With the roof closed and air-conditioning taking the edge off the temperature, Federer and Cilic played out a gripping contest over three hours and two minutes.
After a poor start, Cilic looked to have the momentum when he won five games in a row to force a fifth set, but Federer clung on to his serve at the start of the decider and got the key break in the following game.
The Swiss ties the record for men's Australian Open titles at six with Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson, and moves four clear of Rafael Nadal in the all-time list for male Grand Slam champions on 20.
"I'm so happy, it's unbelievable," Federer added. "After the year I had last year, it's incredible."
Media playback is not supported on this device Roger Federer says 20th Grand Slam is 'an absolute dream come true'
Federer holds off Cilic fightback
Cilic, 29, had come into the final brimming with positivity after an impressive run to the final that included a quarter-final win over Nadal, but he made a desperate start.
He won just four points in losing the opening four games, and Federer fired down back-to-back aces on his way to serving out the set after 25 minutes.
The Swiss saw off two break points early in the second, roaring "come on!" as he pulled a forehand winner down the line, and then resumed his assault on the Cilic serve.
Three break points were saved, the third with a second-serve ace, as Cilic edged his way into a tie-break and a chance to claw his way back into the match.
The 2014 US Open champion did just that after a huge cross-court forehand brought up two set points, and he smashed away the second to level.
Federer appeared to have regained control when a deep return drew an error as he broke for 4-2 in the third, and a fabulous half-volley pick-up said the confidence was flowing as he moved ahead again.
With a point for a double-break early in the fourth, Federer appeared as good as home, but his first-serve began to falter and Cilic ripped into the second serve with his huge forehand.
Cilic fought hard to take the match into a fifth set
After two hours and 10 minutes he finally broke the Federer serve, and a jolt of adrenaline coursed through the Croat - and the crowd - as this unexpected fightback took him to two sets all.
Federer was now struggling to contain the world number six, and was relieved to see a return hit the net on break point at the start of the fifth, before roaring as a serve saw off a second chance for the Croat.
The Swiss had halted the momentum and in the next game he grabbed it for himself with a deep, fizzing return that Cilic could not handle.
Nerves were still apparent as the eight-time Wimbledon champion urged himself on during the changeover, but he was not about to let his opponent back in, and another break of serve all but made sure.
There was time for one more moment of uncertainty for Federer when, just as in last year's final, he was forced to wait on match point for Hawk-Eye to confirm that he had indeed retained the title.
Roof closed in testing conditions
The decision before the match to keep the roof closed was greeted with surprise by those in Rod Laver Arena.
As forecast, the temperature in Melbourne during Sunday reached a very testing 37.5C, but that was below the 41C experienced earlier in the tournament, when the extreme heat rule was not involved.
However, the rule is not purely based on ambient temperature, but also other factors such as humidity, wind speed and angle of sun, known as the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT).
"The tournament referee made this decision based on qualified and professional advice from the Bureau of Meteorology who are on site, and the tournament's chief medical officer," read a Tennis Australia statement.
"At no other time during the event this year has the WBGT reading reached the threshold."
What the BBC commentators said
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on Radio 5 live: "It was a good performance from both players. You've got to hand it to Cilic, he had to play his best tennis and keep it up. That was the problem.
"Federer was consistent the whole way through. Other than a few double faults and a few patches, it was good consistency."
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller: "Federer has previously won 19 of these, but he has a look of a man who's never done it before. He may be 36, but he shows no sign of ageing. He's proved yet again he's too good for the rest of the world."
Match stats
Federer Cilic Match duration: Three hours, three minutes 24 Aces 16 4 Double faults 5 6/13 Break points won 2/9 14/18 Net points won 14/19 41 Winners 45 40 Unforced errors 64 152 Total points won 128
Federer's route to the title
Tennis: Roger Federer has won his 20th grand slam title and his 6th Australian Open crown in a five-set win over Marin Cilic.
ROGER Federer won his 20th grand slam title by defeating Marin Cilic in a five-set thriller in the Australian Open final on Sunday night.
He overcame the Croatian 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 6-1, securing his second consecutive crown at Melbourne Park.
Fanatical fan chose Fed over husband A frightening insight from @gigi_salmon pic.twitter.com/KY4XESJX6d — Jai Bednall (@jaibednall) January 28, 2018 Tennis broadcaster Gigi Salmon provided a slightly unnerving insight into the levels of adoration Roger Federer after meeting an obsessed fan at last night’s final. Salmon told the BBC she “spoke to a Swiss lady outside the arena who follows him (Federer) all over the world”. “She got married and refused to take her husband’s surname because her initials with her maiden name are RF,” Salmon reported. “Her husband then left her because she was so obsessed with Federer. I said I’m very sorry and she said ‘don’t be, now my initials are RF and I get to follow him around the world so it’s a happy ending’.” Mirka, probably one to keep away from your husband. Share
Cilic fights back as Fed Express falters Cilic launched a daring rescue mission to win the fourth set after looking down and out. Just as Federer threatened to run away with the contest, going a break up, Cilic dug deep and broke to love to square the ledger at 3-3. Federer was feeling the heat during Cilic’s resurgence, challenging a fault call on his second serve when down 0-30 at 2-3. It was out by a mile “Strange challenge from for Roger,” Courier said. “That ball really flew off the racquet.” “This will be a challenge out of frustration,” Lleyton Hewitt added. At one stage Federer had conceded six consecutive points while serving. What was that call? lol — José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 28, 2018 Worst Challege Of All Time, Mister Federer. — Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) January 28, 2018 Absolute shocker of a game from Federer. Broken for the first time tonight and at LOVE. — José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 28, 2018 Federer 39% 1st serves IN in this 4th set.. — José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 28, 2018 Cilic held then broke once more to take a 5-3 lead and he made no mistake from there, icing the set on serve. “Incredible turnaround here,” Todd Woodbridge said. “The way that Cilic has hit himself back into form here. He’s laying the hammer on every single shot now.” Lucky I paused before sending that ‘It’s all over’ tweet 15 mins ago. #AusOpen — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) January 28, 2018 #Cilic raised his level to steal that 4th set from #Federer. So impressive! Not many that can halt Rogers momentum when he starts pulling ahead. #AusOpen — Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) January 28, 2018 Cilic initally looked helpless in the face of a Federer masterclass as the veteran reached top gear early in the fourth. A ripping forehand half-volley was just one example of his class as he took an early 2-0 lead. “Watch the racquet stop. There’s no follow through,” Jim Courier said. “How does he do that? “How does he get that much pace on the ball with no follow through? The guy’s arms are like toothpicks. He said it himself he can’t wear sleeveless shirts because he doesn’t have arms like Rafa. “Perfect timing has something to do with it.” Share
Federer back to form Roger Federer smashed a hole in a tense third set by breaking Marin Cilic to go 4-2 up. The Fed Express was uncharacteristically sloppy to start the set, carrying on some worrying form from the second set which was won by the Croatian. Early in the third Federer made his 21st unforced error while Cilic recorded his 25th winner, suggesting the tide was well and truly turning. But Federer arrested that momentum, regaining control and taking a 5-3 advantage. He made no mistake when serving for the set, closing it out to put himself within one set of a 20th major title. Share
Disrespectful acts rattle Fed Marin Cilic shrugged off the nerves that cost him the first set to find his groove and claim the second in a tiebreak (7-5). He upped his game and Federer slipped enough to allow the Croatian back into the match — a possibility that seemed absurd after the horror that was his 25-minute opener. Cilic made tough work of his service games, but kept his cool even as most of them went to deuce to give himself a chance of levelling the match — and he made the most of it. Federer saved two break points early in the set to eventually hold serve and level things up at 1-1. The 36-year-old was standing well inside the baseline — more than a metre — on average when returning Cilic’s serves, which is a bold strategy against someone with a serve as big as the Croatian’s. Per Channel Seven, Federer’s average point of contact when returning serve tonight is much further forward than his tournament average. “He is even further forward tonight. That’s crazy, and it’s successful, so it’s actually smart,” Jim Courier said in commentary. “For people at home, Marin Cilic has one of the best serves on tour and Roger Federer is standing into it. It is not an easy thing to do,” Lleyton Hewitt added. Cilic took more than nine minutes to claim the third game but he held on despite some nervous moments, going 2-1 up. The set continued to go on serve as Cilic showed dramatic improvement from the debacle that was his first set, taking a 5-4 lead. It was Federer’s turn to serve and twice he was interrupted by people in the crowd just before his ball toss, forcing him to pull out. After the second misbehaving fan called out as the 19-time major champion prepared to serve while facing a set point, the umpire stepped in to remind spectators not to be disrespectful to the players. “Ladies and gentlemen, please show respect to the players. Don’t call out before the point,” he said. Federer held and the set went to a tiebreak soon after. Share
Cilic’s Open nightmare Roger Federer annihilated Marin Cilic 6-1 in a one-sided first set that lasted less than 25 minutes. Federer made the perfect start to the match, breaking Cilic in the opening game as he forced the pace, pushing inside the baseline on the Croatian’s second serve and unleashing with an aggressive backhand winner. Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbledon in 2001 and said Cilic was in for the fight of his life. “When you try to ‘kill’ Roger he keeps getting up. You have to ‘kill’ him 38 times or he will still get up. It’s like something out of the movies. You have to make sure he’s ‘dead,’” Ivanisevic told BBC radio. Federer held his first service game in under a minute and a Cilic unforced error in the next game convinced him to change racquets. Commentators suggested the roof being closed may have changed conditions enough to affect Cilic’s string tension. “The conditions might have caused his racquet to come down a pound or two than what they would be in the dry conditions of the day,” Todd Woodbridge said. “Hopefully he has some variety in string tension in that bag.” Lleyton Hewitt said Cilic handed a racquet in to be restrung after gesturing to his box, alluding to a possible costly oversight on his part. “That has to be the tension,” Hewitt said. “Different conditions coming in. You would have thought in his bag though he would have six to eight racquets and a couple would be strung at different tensions out there for the different conditions.” Aussie legend Pat Cash was no fan of the roof closure. Roof closed????? #ausopen isn’t this an outdoor tournament? Fed must of been rubbing his hands together when he heard the news. #cilic needed some heat ,wind to upset Fed! A post shared by Pat Cash (@therealpatcash) on Jan 28, 2018 at 1:01am PST Federer broke again to make it 3-0 within 10 minutes in a nightmare start for the World No. 6. Nightmare start of the match for Cilic. Federer counting the gifts. 3-0 double break. — Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) January 28, 2018 Federer leads 3-0
- Double break
- Cilic with just 3 points
- Cilic with 8 unforced errors (Fed = 0)#AusOpen — Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) January 28, 2018 This has been an absolutely terrible start for Cilic, who looks absolutely rattled by the occasion.
Two breaks already for Federer, Marin needs to just shake this set off and regroup... — George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) January 28, 2018 Cilic finally got on the board at 1-4 but the Swiss held his next service game to love to race to a 5-1 lead before closing the set out 6-2. Incredibly, Federer only lost two points on serve for the entire set. Share
Federer shuts down two-word storm After winning last year’s Australian Open, Roger Federer sent the tennis world into a spin with two simple words. “I hope to see you next year, but if not, this was a wonderful run here and I can’t be more happy to have won tonight,” he said. Fans and media wondered whether “if not” meant the Swiss was planning to hang the racquet up. Jim Courier suggested it was merely symbolic of Federer’s humility. “I’m going to interpret that as, ‘If this is my last major win’. Roger Federer loves the game, loves the life. It would be hard to believe he would be going anywhere any time soon,” Courier said at the time. One year on and Federer has shown we had nothing to worry about. He may have been downplaying expectations of securing another major crown, but he won Wimbledon and now has a chance to raise the trophy for the sixth time at Melbourne Park. By surprising everyone — including himself — with a stunning career revival, he’s made sure we were all in a tizz over nothing. Share
Federer’s last laugh over Tomic Former World No. 17 Bernard Tomic used to speak often of his desire to be a top-10 player. “I would like to reach the top 10 mark,” he said in December 2016. echoing a sentiment we’d heard before. The Aussie’s fall from grace has been clear for all to see — he’s more interested in counting his millions than winning tennis matches these days — and a couple of years ago Roger Federer hinted at Tomic setting a bar that was always going to be out of his reach. “Many seasons now in a row we have seen or heard that top 10 is the goal, and he’s missed out on it by a long shot,” Federer set before the 2016 Australian Open. “I think before speaking so highly, maybe it’s good to take it to the next level, whatever that is. We shall see.” Never has the gulf between a one-time wannabe and the man he aspired to be like been so evident as it is tonight. When Federer’s final kicks off at 7.30pm, Tomic too will be on TV screens across the country — but for a very different reason. He will appear in tonight’s season opening episode of I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here, which airs on Channel 10, also at 7.30pm. So while the man he had pictures taken with as a kid fights for a 20th grand slam title, Tomic will be mingling with B and C Grade celebrities on reality TV. Not that we needed more proof, but it’s yet another reminder Tomic should have heeded Federer’s words of warning — prophetic as they’ve proved to be — before vocalising his intentions to sit inside the same top-10 bracket the GOAT has occupied for the majority of his career. I can’t hate on anyone making a living if someone is willing to pay. But society, we are to blame this show even exists and gets viewers. https://t.co/qahZegjZy3 — Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 28, 2018 Share
Scary Federer truth is all too real The immortal of Australian tennis, Rod Laver, says he can’t see an end to the stunning career of Roger Federer, who he believes is playing as well as he ever has. The Swiss champion prepares to fight for his 20th major at the Australian Open on Sunday, which would stretch his lead for the most singles titles of any man. At 36, Federer hasn’t dropped a set in his progression to the final against Marin Cilic. Laver, who has watched Federer’s progression at Melbourne Park this year, is convinced he hasn’t seen better tennis from the all-time great. “He’s certainly playing as well as he did eight or 10 years ago,” Laver told AAP. “I wouldn’t say he’s better but Roger is playing some of his best tennis. “Not all the time maybe. But pretty close to all the time.” Laver’s assessment puts the Swiss champion’s current form on par with one of his most dominant periods. A decade ago, Federer was in the middle of an incredible streak of reaching 18 of 19 consecutive grand slam finals — between Wimbledon in 2005 and the 2010 Australian Open — with his 2008 appearance at Melbourne Park the only blot on his run. Laver would know greatness. The sport’s indisputable No. 1 at the dawn of the Open era finished with 11 majors — including the coveted calendar year Grand Slam in 1962 and 1969. Federer has called the Queenslander his idol, helping found the Laver Cup in tribute to the Australian champion. The Californian resident will again be in the stands when Federer attempts to chalk up major No. 20, and says he has seen Federer evolve as a player over the journey. “He’s playing smarter,” Laver said. “You learn when you’re playing an opponent or you see him a lot, he sees weaknesses that other people don’t see. “That’s the difference between Roger and the field. “The rest plays their game. That’s a big advantage.” Given his spectacular assessment of Federer’s position in the sport, it’s no surprise that Laver doesn’t see him pulling up stumps any time soon. “He’s enjoying it more. It’s another edge,” he said. “When he’s hitting a backhand down the line, if he sees that happening still that will keep him going for another year.” — AAP Share
‘Incredible’ Federer change amazes Stubbs A year ago, Roger Federer was supposed to be cooked. A knee injury had kept him out of the game for much of 2016 and he hadn’t won a major since 2012 as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray emerged as genuine superstars. But a miracle comeback netted him a fifth Australian Open title in 2017 and he won grand slam number 19 when he triumphed again at Wimbledon later in the year. The Swiss maestro is continuing his renaissance at Melbourne Park in 2018 and former Australian star Rennae Stubbs says one major factor has been behind his second-coming. Gifted with one of the most graceful backhands tennis has ever seen, Stubbs believe Federer’s one-hander has become even stronger in recent times — which is amazing for a 36-year-old — thanks largely to his work with coach Ivan Ljubicic. “His timing on the backhand is so special now. His backhand is as big as his forehand at times which is incredible at his age,” Stubbs told ABC program Offsiders on Sunday. “I think that’s down to his coach Ivan Ljubicic’s presence of mind to make him go after that shot because Ljubicic’s backhand as a one-hander as well was so beautiful. “That’s given him (Federer) the impetus to go after it and that’s been the difference in his game for sure for the last two years.” Marin Cilic crumbled against Federer in last year’s Wimbledon final, reduced to tears as the occasion — and blisters — got the better of him, which Stubbs said was “really hard to watch”. But there’s reason for the Croatian to be optimistic if he can channel the form that saw him obliterate the Fed Express in straight sets in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Open en route to a maiden grand slam title. “I watched Cilic absolutely dismantle Roger when he won the US Open title in 2014 — he served him off the court and if Roger doesn’t serve well on the second serve then Cilic will get after that as well,” Stubbs said. “He’s playing as well as we’ve seen and if he serves big and he serves his spots and he gets a lot of free points on his serve then he will definitely push Roger.” Share
