Roger Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title and first in five years with a nerve-wracking five-set win over ninth seeded Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Sunday.
Federer's win was also celebrated on social media as players, actors congratulated him for his remarkable achievement. The famous German football player Mesut Ozil congratulated him on winning his 18th Grand Slam of the career.
What an exciting final! Congrats to my friend >@RogerFederer ! >#legend>#tennis>#AustralianOpen>pic.twitter.com/LxileL3v61
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) >January 29, 2017
The 35-year-old Swiss won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to clinch his fifth Melbourne title and extend his lead at the top of the all-time men's major winners' list. Number four seed and semifinalist, Stanislas Wawrinka also congratulated his country fellow on grabbing his fifth Australian Open title of the career.
What a match >@AustralianOpen !!! Amazing >@rogerfederer !!!!! 18 !!!!!!
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) >January 29, 2017
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar also expressed his emotions as he congratulated his old buddy on achieving such a huge milestone saying, "The world salutes your tears of victory today."
The whole world salutes your tears of victory today >@rogerfederer , your play was divine ... >#AusOpen>#AusOpenFinal
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) >January 29, 2017
Nadal, 30, remains tied in second with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slam titles following his first final since 2014. Federer's previous major title came at Wimbledon in 2012.
The wishes seemed to be endless for the 35-year-old-veteran as West Indies cricket captain Darren Sammy also congratulated Federer on Twitter.
The win made Federer the first player ever to win five titles at three different grand slams and at 35, the oldest grand slam winner since Ken Rosewall won the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37.
The very famous cricket and tennis expert and commentator Alan Wilkins labelled Federer as the greatest athelete of our time on Twitter.
The GREATEST athlete of our time and the greatest sport to watch! >@rogerfederer take a bow! >@RafaelNadal take a bow! >#UnbelievableTennis
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) >January 29, 2017
After a thrilling five setter, Roger Federer expressed his views, "I've been coming here for almost 20 years now, I've always enjoyed it and now my family does too.
Praising his opponent and best friend off the field, Rafael Nadal, the swiss said, "There are no draws in tennis, but tonight I would have been happy to share this trophy with Rafa.
"Thanks again for everything, to everybody. I hope to see you next year. If not, this was a wonderful run here and I can't be more happy to win tonight." he said.
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