Federer vs Nadal Australian Open Final 2017: 2 Kings in quest to reclaim lost kingdom
Starting this new year even the die hard fans of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would not have comprehended the chain of events that was to unfold at the Australian Open 2017. After a fortnight of unbelievable upsets the familiar faces of Roger and Rafa on the men’s side and the Williams sisters on the women’s side will clash for the first grand slam of the year.
The last time such an event happened was Wimbledon 2008 and few could forget that encounter. Federer, 35 years old well past his prime coming back from a 6 month injury layoff was well off the charts for the bookmakers at his year’s Australian Open. Rafael Nadal, like Federer had curtailed his season midway through 2016 to give his wrist and body a proper time to recover. The prospects of even one them making a deep run at the tournament seemed to be a dream let alone playing in the finals. After his win over compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the semis Federer told in an on court interview how he and Rafa planned about playing a charity match perhaps because the prospects of them meeting in a final of a big event seemed bleak. But come Sunday and this dream will become reality, as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will battle it out for the 35th time with the Spaniard leading their rivalry with a 23-11 scoreline.
Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal: The ultimate rivalry in tennis
The Australian Open 2017 was supposed start from where 2016 ended with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray slugging it out for the right to be called the world number 1. But the tennis world spun on its axis when Djokovic and Murray crashed out of the tournament in the first week itself. Many pundits thought that this was the moment that this was the time that the young generation steps up and maybe finally a player born after the 90’s could lift a grand slam. But even the greatest of script writers could not have written the magic that was to be displayed on court by two forgotten hero’s who in their peak claimed a staggering 24 out of 28 Grand Slam titles.
The interview’s of both the players have shown the desire to succeed is still there and why they were at the top of their game for such a long time. After his 5 set win over Wawrinka Federer was quoted as saying“I’ll give it my all, even if I can’t walk for 5 months”. While Nadal said “I wouldn’t’ be here, if I wasn’t giving my 100%” says a lot about the passion both these marquee players have for tennis.
Roger and Rafa at the Australian Open 2017 have shown why they are regarded as the greatest player’s in the history of tennis. Only time will tell whether this might be the last time the Fedal rivalry headlines the finals of a grand slam or is there still some more magic left to be conjured up by the duo. The only thing for certain though is although Federer and Nadal lost their crowns to Djokovic and Murray but they still rule the hearts of tennis fans.
