MELBOURNE, Australia -- Beforehand, it was billed by many to be the most important Grand Slam match ever played. After five breathtaking sets, it did not disappoint -- at all.
Two of the sport's most celebrated talents, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, squaring off in a Grand Slam final one more time, a scene we surely thought we wouldn't see again. Except we did.
In the end, Federer completed his unprecedented comeback by downing Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, adding an 18th Grand Slam title to the Swiss' name. READ MORE
.@rogerfederer does a lap of honour with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/nBuc6EIoNB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
The numbers crunch:
This was the ninth major final meeting between Nadal and Federer, the most in men's history.
Federer became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title since Ken Rosewall in the 1972 Australian Open.
This was the first time in Federer's Grand Slam history he's played three or more five-set matches in a single tournament.
Federer also became just the fourth player in the Open era to defeat four top-10 seeds in a Grand Slam.
What a match!
Tennis fans and other sporting stars from around the globe couldn't take their eyes off the historic match, taking to social media to show their delight.
What a match @AustralianOpen 😱😳!!! Amazing @rogerfederer 🐐!!!!! 18🏆!!!!!! 💪🏻👏🏻
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 29, 2017
Everyone stop right now .. take 6 months off. Come back. Win ..... can't believe what I watched. Congrats to my friend @rogerfederer
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) January 29, 2017
Congrats @rogerfederer #AusOpen
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 29, 2017
Wow, what an @AustralianOpen the two GOATs holding the trophy and historic finals. 2017 is gonna be a fun year for tennis.
— James Blake (@JRBlake) January 29, 2017
2 #goats ...@rogerfederer @RafaelNadal ...we salute you...#Melbourne pic.twitter.com/SiHVlvRuIs
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) January 29, 2017
How lucky am I? Congratulations @rogerfederer on #18...Welcome to the club!🎉👏👍@Martina pic.twitter.com/qF28nR4c9n
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) January 29, 2017
Vamos Rafa!! 💪🤞
— David Ferrer (@DavidFerrer87) January 29, 2017
Roger, the CHAMPION 🙌🏻 Well deserved! I'm so happy for you. Congrats to this epic win 🏆@rogerfederer
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 29, 2017
Fed you are THE man! 💖🙌🏼😭🏆#AusOpen
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) January 29, 2017
Never thought I would see these two play in an @AustralianOpen final again. We tennis fans are blessed!! #AusOpen
— Ian Thorpe (@IanThorpe) January 29, 2017
Who will win? @RafaelNadal or @rogerfederer ? I think Nadal but very happy for either! @AustralianOpen #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/MdfK1y7n0o
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) January 29, 2017
Thank you both, don't you ever quit tennis!! GRANDEEE ROGER 🙌 So inspiring!!
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) January 29, 2017
Amazing match, congratulations to @rogerfederer! #AusOpen
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) January 29, 2017
What a great and amazing match to wake up for. Thank you Roger, thank you Rafa. @AustralianOpen
— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) January 29, 2017
So happy for @rogerfederer 😁
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) January 29, 2017
Such high intensity tennis, this is the stuff that Champions are made of.. every point matters #FedererNadal #AusOpen
— Leander Paes (@Leander) January 29, 2017
What an exciting final! 🎾🏆 Congrats to my friend @RogerFederer! #legend #tennis #AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/LxileL3v61
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) January 29, 2017
My face watching this match 😍😍😍. #AusOpen
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) January 29, 2017
Federer and Nadal should just play every day, forever.
— Paolo Bandini (@Paolo_Bandini) January 29, 2017
I just hope that you guys never leave us..Bravo @rogerfederer Today's match was so inspiring..❤
— Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) January 29, 2017
Congrats Serena-Venus, Roger and Rafa. What a way to start the Tennis year, can't wait to see what else unfolds this year #exciting #23 #18
— Tommy Haas (@TommyHaas13) January 29, 2017
The whole world salutes your tears of victory today @rogerfederer, your play was divine ... #AusOpen #AusOpenFinal
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 29, 2017
This is tennis 🎾❤! Thanks so much guys for everything you showed us during all this years! pic.twitter.com/6xjE2SvRYW
— Fernando Verdasco (@FerVerdasco) January 29, 2017
GRACIAS 🎾 / THANK YOU 🎾#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/NBixejFRxT
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 29, 2017
Thank you so much @rogerfederer and @RafaelNadal for this intense, historic, unbelieveble moment of sport!
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) January 29, 2017
Best point I've ever seen in my life #ausopen #federer #nadal
— Matt Ebden (@mattebden) January 29, 2017
Great tournament @AustralianOpen . @rogerfederer crowned , @RafaelNadal so powerful but not his night tonight.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) January 29, 2017
Wow. What. A. Match.
— ivo karlovic (@ivokarlovic) January 29, 2017
With out a doubt best I have ever seen Fedfan hit his bachand vs Vamos-Rafa hitting hard and flat especially on the return of serv
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 29, 2017
#AusOpen 😳🙈👀
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) January 29, 2017
There is a reason @rogerfederer is the 🐐. He showed us again tonight at @AustralianOpen that true champions always find a way to win. #RF18
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 29, 2017
A touching tribute
The only thing that came close to rivaling the brutal, high-quality encounter was the heartfelt postmatch trophy presentation.
"Well done, congrats, I feel very happy for you." #Nadal to #Federer. @RafaelNadal thank you for a terrific @AusOpen 2017 pic.twitter.com/NOVECgkVSk
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
A defeated Nadal praised his great rival for his stunning comeback while Federer wished he could have called the match a draw.
Oh, and what a wonderful sight this was with great Aussie legend Rod Laver sandwiched in between the two finalists.