Australian Open 2018: Roger Federer reveals why he cried after receiving the trophy
What’s the story?
Even the sporting world’s very best, who otherwise seem absolutely invulnerable, let their emotions do the talking after achieving their goals. The godlike Roger Federer showed his humane side when he let the tears flow after lifting a Grand Slam trophy for a staggering 20th time at the Australian Open 2018 in Melbourne on Sunday.
As the crowd applauded, the Swiss maestro did not hold himself back anymore and let it all sink in.
As per reports, Federer, later on, revealed why he broke down during the speech. “During the match I constantly thought about the fact that I could reach 20,” said the legend.
“I was nervous the whole day, I thought about what would happen if I lose, if I win. That’s why I broke down during the speech,” he explained.
In case you didn’t know
This is not the first time that Federer became emotional during the presentation ceremony after an Australian Open final. The image of Roger crying after the 2009 final and Rafael Nadal going up to console him is probably etched in every tennis fan’s memory.
Incidentally, it was after a tough five-set loss to his greatest rival.
The heart of the matter
For Federer, his passage to his sixth Australian Open crown was not very smooth. Marin Cilic, who is set to rise to the World No. 3 position, gave him quite a fight.
The former US Open champion took two sets off the former World No. 1 and made him work hard for the 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win that took 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete.
He is now just the fourth player -- man or woman -- to win 20 or more Slams, which he accomplished from 30 Major finals.
What’s next?
Federer’s next tournament is expected to be the Indian Wells Masters, which starts on March 8. The Swiss does not feature in the field for ATP Dubai, where he has reigned supreme seven times.
Author’s take
Even the tennis world’s greatest can be nervous, as revealed by Federer. But just like always, he made a good job of masking his nervousness and let his game take the centrestage, holding everything inside him.
And that is why it is very much understandable why Federer loosened up once he got to lay his hands on the much-coveted Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.