Published: Jan 29, 2017, 07:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2017, 07:41 PM (IST)
It was nothing than a dream final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on Sunday, with the latter being crowned as the Australian Open 2017 champion for the 5th time. It was also Federer’s 18th Grand Slam title. Federer defeated Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3. Both the players came together for 35th time in a Grand Slam. Federer extended his lead over Nadal in the all-time major wins list with his first Melbourne Crown since 2010 and his first major singles title win since Wimbledon 2012. It was a surreal moment for many and that included the cricketers across globe. The cricket fraternity expressed their excitement much ahead of the final on Sunday.
However on the D day, from Ravichandran Ashwin to Harsha Bhogle, the live commentary did not stop over social media. On the other end, Steven Smith was rooting for Federer, despite a broken leg. ‘The Reverend’ David Warner watched the live action from Melbourne. The Swiss player, who was seeded No. 17, jumped to No. 10 in the world with this victory while Nadal moved to No. 6. He earned his first win over Nadal in four meetings at the Australian Open and won just his third major final over the Spaniard in nine attempts. Cricket fraternity reacts to Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer Australian Open 2017 final
On receiving the trophy, Federer said, “I’m out of words and Rafa said so many great things. I’d like to congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. I don’t think either of us thought we’d be in the finals when we were at your academy four or five years ago. I’d just like to thank my team. It’s been a different last six months. I didn’t think I was going to make it here,” as quoted on theguardian.com.
Let’s take a look at some of the selected tweets from the world of cricket in praise of two tennis greats:
Truly a clash of the titans! What a match 🙂 Congratulations @rogerfederer on winning the #AusOpen finals. pic.twitter.com/8TMJ6ZXZUK
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 29, 2017
Great match and the legend @rogerfederer wins his 18th Grand Slam.#AusOpen. #FedererNadal #GodOfGrandSlam pic.twitter.com/r0prF36Dw1 — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 29, 2017
Kudos to Rafa Nadal. Most couldn’t have responded to what he threw out there. Amazing!#AusOpen #FedererNadal — Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) January 29, 2017
Nadal is a true champ, but man, @rogerfederer is the greatest. Seeing how much that means to an athlete is what it’s all about #AusOpen https://t.co/2vCu8OaUE0
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) January 29, 2017
Can’t wait for Rogers speech.
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 29, 2017
Congratulations @rogerfederer #18 G-Slams absolute genius, @RafaelNadal sensational match, both are true champions #AusOpen — Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 29, 2017
You beauty @rogerfederer 18th Grand Slam. Proving once again age is just a unit for experience. If you’re good enough you’re young enough — Alec Stewart (@StewieCricket) January 29, 2017
Federer does it again, champion athlete #AusOpen
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) January 29, 2017
What a match @rogerfederer you are an absolute Legend!! Nadal played incredibly well also but so happy for roger @AustralianOpen #champion
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) January 29, 2017
What a comeback this is, take my hat out for the greatest tennis player ever.But spare a thought for the man who put on an incredible show. — Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 29, 2017
What an unbelievable game of tennis…champion is back @rogerfederer …greatest of all time.. — parthiv patel (@parthiv9) January 29, 2017
Wow wow wow #RogerFederer you beauty #Champion
— Daren Sammy (@darrensammy88) January 29, 2017
Meanwhile, #FrenchOpen trophy has already reached @RafaelNadal‘s house
— Aditya Sahay (@adisahay7) January 29, 2017
Relieved, satisfied and much deserved. After 6 months, welcome back my champ. 18th Grand Slam it is #RogerFederer #AusOpen #AllezRoger — Shruti Hariharan (@Shruti_2890) January 29, 2017
#18 and counting @rogerfederer #Federer #FedererNadal #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/rVHEsKyyWG — Vishal Mehra (@capturethecatch) January 29, 2017
What a game #AusOpen #fedvnadal
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) January 29, 2017
Absolutely blessed to watch two champions play tennis. @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal well done #fedexpress
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) January 29, 2017
The GREATEST athletes of our time! @rogerfederer take a bow! @RafaelNadal take a bow! #AusOpen Age is just a number to THEM!! — Faisal Iqbal (@FaisalIqbalCric) January 29, 2017
Oh my, I’m so emotional @rogerfederer you melt me! What a game @AustralianOpen two gentlemen. #AusOpen #classic #7TENNIS — Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) January 29, 2017
@rogerfederer again true champion. Legend
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) January 29, 2017
Thank You, Federer. GOAT. #AusOpen
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 29, 2017
Rafa to say ‘Melbourne was so near yet so far, see you in Roland Garos Roger’. — Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 29, 2017
Cricket fans watching #FedererNadal be like pic.twitter.com/xwpQpXsyIj — InGenious (@Bees_Kut) January 29, 2017
Federar fans during the Aus Open final pic.twitter.com/70uwxS809b
— Abhishek Kumar (@abhik2593) January 29, 2017
Tennis has to be the winner here!Brilliant by both @rogerfederer &@RafaelNadal But as in every sport only one can win!Congrats @rogerfederer
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 29, 2017
Incredible Tennis by the Two Champions. Mind boggling. #AustralianOpen Silky touch by the 35 years old at the end @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/AyeNWr7yrV — waqar younis (@waqyounis99) January 29, 2017
What A match by d legend @rogerfederer .. #epic great display of tennis.. never give up attitude #RF .. Champion as always .. — iamSidkaul (@sidkaul22) January 29, 2017
FEDERER 🙂 what a spectacle! An amazing shootout between two of the greatest. #AusOpen #Fedal2017
— Shan Masood (@shani_official) January 29, 2017
A champion, a gentleman and an inspiration #Federer
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 29, 2017
Roger getting it done at 35! Can’t beat experience when the heat is on! Amazing tournament from the great man #AusOpen #cantbuyitofftheshelf — Tim Ludeman (@tludey) January 29, 2017
Number 18 for Federer. What a LEGEND. Absolutely riveting Finals. #AusOpen #FedererNadal — Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) January 29, 2017
Masterclass!!#RogerVSRafa #AusOpen2017 #RogerFederer #RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/vBr7lGvYg0
— Dhawal Kulkarni (@dhawal_kulkarni) January 29, 2017
Tennis at its best @rogerfederer vs @RafaelNadal what a champions u guys are..congratulations Roger for winning the @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/TRDK1gnZvj
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 29, 2017
What a game!! Love seeing the passion from both of them. But @rogerfederer….What a great champion. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/YhbRhkUu3j — Sarah Taylor (@Sarah_Taylor30) January 29, 2017
ROGER FEDERER #legend #champion #18 @rogerfederer — johan botha (@johan_botha) January 29, 2017
Any successful athlete could feel the energy & passion exhibited today. Motivation to everyone THIS IS WHY WE PLAY! Congrats Roger!#AusOpen — Jason Holder (@Jaseholder98) January 29, 2017
Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open Men’s final to win his 18th Grand Slam –
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) January 29, 2017
Yes @rogerfederer just seen you have made it #18 grand slams congrats #legend
— Alex Tudor (@alextudorcoach) January 29, 2017
All hail the legend @rogerfederer what a man!! #AusOpen2017
— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) January 29, 2017
What an epic men’s tennis final. Rafa was outstanding & never gave up. But in the end, it was… https://t.co/5KxMPt3nNA
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 29, 2017
What a match @AustralianOpen!!! Amazing @rogerfederer!!!!! 18!!!!!
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 29, 2017
TRENDING NOW
Federer’s most recent win against the Spaniard was in Wimbledon 2007. With this victory, Federer has also become the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events.
