#2 Crying after his loss to Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open 2009
Considered one of the most emotional Grand Slam finals in a long time, the title fight for the Australian Open in 2009 saw two iconic rivals – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – pitted against each other for the trophy. Nadal had not yet won a Grand Slam on hard courts, while Federer had already done so – repeatedly!
The pair were top seeds at the event too, with Nadal at #1 and Federer the second seed.
It was the pair’s seventh meeting at a Major final, and from the very beginning was charged with emotion. Federer had never lost a hard court Major final, and Nadal had never won one.
The match started off with an early break of serve, and Nadal eventually edged out Federer in the opening set. The Spaniard took the momentum in the second, but somehow, Federer managed to pull through – and won the second!
Continuing on a physical – and emotional see-saw, the pair were level at two sets each going into the fifth, with Federer’s forehand only just going long – and winning Nadal the Australian Open.
Both players cried – one in happiness and one in utter disappointment after a completely energy – and emotion-sapping fight, and for perhaps one of the only times in his career, completely broke down due to the sheer magnitude of his loss, and was comforted by Nadal, who then, for the first time, called him the greatest of all time.
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