'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer after the Australia Open final.
#1 The Australian Open Final - Year of comebacks for Roger and Rafa [29 Jan, 2017]
9 and 16. These were the rankings of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the end of 2016. It was a disappointing year for both players, with about 6 months out of action due to injuries. So obviously, not many people gave them a chance to make it to the final of the Australin Open on their return to action. But against all odds, they did! A refreshed Roger Federer with an unseen menacing backhand returned to sail through the first grand slam of the year, a sight every Federer fan was craving to see since a long time.
Trending
Same went for Rafa, who last won a grand slam in 2014 and was definitely not assumed to be the frontrunner for the crown. But inspite of lack of match practice and very recent injuries, both reached a dream final at the Australian Open. A Roger-Rafa final was something I personally had not expected to ever see again in a grand slam. When it happened, it literally was a dream come true.
Roger won the final in a classic 5-setter 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. He survived a scare in the 5th set to come back from a break down to announce his return to the grand stage, sealing an amazing 18th grand slam title.
"Rafa said so many things, but I'd like to also congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. I don't think either one of us believed that we would be in the finals of Australia when we saw each other at your academy 4-5 months ago and here we stand in the finals...And I'm happy for you. I'd happy to lose too, to be honest..The comeback was perfect as it was. Tennis is a tough sport, there are no draws but if there were, I'd have been happy to accept a draw tonight with Rafa, really."
Those were the words from Federer and it absolutely reflects the grit and determination to come back to the pinnacle for both these men. The final was just a beginning for the things to come this year, as Roger and Rafa shared the grand slams with two apiece. Incredible stuff from players who were written off just a few months back. Federer won the 'Sunshine Double' before skipping the entire clay court season, keeping himself fit enough for grass and hard court which paid dividends.
Rafa conquered the clay court season, winning every title that he could. He also won the US Open and the China Open on the hard court along with the clay court titles, making a very fulfilling comeback both for the fans and himself. He regained the World No. 1 ranking, while Federer has moved from 16 to 2 in the span of the last 8 months.
2017 has been the year of Fedal. And we hope that this year never ends.
Who Are Roger Federer's Kids? Know All About Federer's Twins
