Roger Federer failed to end his Grand Slam career on a high, but he can be forgiven given his stunning record at that level.
Federer called his French Open win his greatest victory, having triumphed at the tournament just once in his career.
The former ATP number one emerged victorious in Paris in 2009, representing one of his 20 Grand Slam titles before his retirement in 2022.
Federer started his success all the way back in 2003, when he beat Mark Philippoussis in that year’s Wimbledon final.
And it ended in 2018, when Federer defeated Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final, representing his sixth title in Melbourne.
Roger Federer couldn’t see Rod Laver through his tears after 2018 Australian Open final
Federer was surprised to play the 2018 Australian Open final indoors, with the extreme heat policy having come into play at Rod Laver Arena.
After edging past the Croatian, Federer was asked why he was so emotional after the match, having been told he experienced an ‘incredible crowd reaction’ whereby ‘even Rod Laver was scrambling’.
Responding, the Swiss icon said: “I didn’t see that through my thick tears, that he was taking a picture of me crying. I don’t know what to tell you.
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“I was trying to explain it to the news channels. I think what happened is I got to the finals very quickly. The semis was cut short.
“I had a lot of emotions left in me because I didn’t have to go to extreme like last year against [Kei] Nishikori, Stan [Wawrinka], so forth.
“I think when it was all said and done, it reminded me very much of the [Marcos] Baghdatis final, which was tough.
“I was the favourite. I got to the finals in a really good manner. Then when it was all said and done, Rocket gave me the trophy, I was standing in front of the people, I don’t know, it’s when it really hits me.
“When I start thinking about what I was going to say, every subject I touch actually is very meaningful and very emotional.
“Thanking your team, congratulating Marin, thanking the people, thanking the tournament. At the end it’s like one big party. But I hoped over time in the speech I would start to relax a little bit, but I couldn’t. It was what it was.
“I wish it wasn’t so sometimes. At the same time I’m happy I can show emotions and share it with the people.
“If I got emotional, it’s because it was a full crowd again. No people in the stadium wouldn’t make me emotional, I’ll tell you that. This is for them really also.”
Roger Federer successfully defends Australian Open title for 20th and final Grand Slam
Federer’s 2018 Australian final victory really was another classic, with the Swiss legend battling to a 6-2, 6-7(5-7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win.
He was the second seed in Melbourne that year, with top seed Rafael Nadal forced into retiring during his quarter-final with Cilic.
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Having beaten Nadal in the 2017 final, Federer successfully defended his title the following year for his 20th and final Grand Slam title.
He did manage to reach the last two of Wimbledon in 2019, but ultimately lost out to Novak Djokovic in an unforgettable five-set thriller.
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