Roger Federer’s historic run to his 18th grand slam title at the Australian Open has made headline news across the world.
The 35-year-old recovered from a 1-3 deficit in the fifth set to defeat nemesis Rafael Nadal in what was his first competitive tournament since the Wimbledon Championships due to injury. Federer’s latest win is one that has broken numerous records. He is the first man to win three different grand slam tournaments five times, the first man to win 18 major titles and the first man to defeat four top 10 players in route to a grand slam title since Mats Wilander at the 1982 French Open.
Federer’s route to the title:
1st rd: bt Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-2
2nd rd: bt Noah Rubin (USA) 7-5 6-3 7-6
3rd rd: bt 10-Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-2 6-4 6-4
4th rd: bt 5-Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-7 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-3
QF: bt Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-1 7-5 6-2
SF: bt 4-Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 7-5 6-3 1-6 4-6 6-3
F: bt 9-Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3
Sunday’s final was also one that has made Australian television history. Shown on Channel Seven, the Federer-Nadal attracted a peak audience of 4.6 million with a 50.6% audience share. It is the highest ratings recorded for a men’s final in over a decade and the third highest in history. The largest ever ratings for a men’s final was achieved in 2005 when 5.56 million viewers watched Lleyton Hewitt loose to Marat Safin.
World newspapers celebrating Federer’s achievement (images via Fairfax media/Kiosko.net)
Good Morning!
There’s only one man that could be on our front page!#Federer #AusOpen #GOAT pic.twitter.com/Ft5BcfnKNX
— Sport360° (@Sport360) January 30, 2017
AD Sportwereld. January 30.#frontpage #primapagina #portada #backpage #football #sports #Federer pic.twitter.com/knGsqVsZNL
— Tijani Goullet AD (@TijaniGoulletAD) January 29, 2017
Grand Master Federer on the Herald Sun front page. pic.twitter.com/30I5FtA8Sn
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) January 29, 2017
