The morning after and I have to declare that was one of the most magnificent tennis matches I've seen in more than 30 years of watching tennis.
The sheer brilliance of the tennis played by Nadal and Federer last night cannot be over-stated. They both came out so hungry - Federer to win his 14th major title to meet Sampras' record and recapture the Number 1 seeding, and Nadal to win his first Australian open. Nadal was also carrying the fatigue of his epic five hour match less than 48 hours before. Nadal won a fierce, gruelling battle, as each champion fought for every single point and the momentum swung back and forth.
Federer showed his class, although his cool detachment slipped now and then as his frustration broke through. Nadal demonstrated once again, and decisively, that he is the most ferocious competitor in tennis. He is absolutely predatory on court! His mental strength never wavered, not once in the more than 4 hours. Federer lost the faith, I think, watching Nadal on the other side of the net, brushing aside the discomfort of fatigue in a display of unparalleled physical dominance. There was no gamesmanship, no bravado. The older man was playing desperate tennis in the end, taking risks to get behind Nadal, but he was just pounded by the sheer power - and, it has to be said - by the mental strength and focus of the Number 1. In that final set, the result became self-evident. Nadal controlled the play completely. Federer could not win.
The crowd was very generous, lifting Federer in a wave of affectionate support when he broke down and cried at the presentation, unable to speak. He was generous, ceding the brilliance of the young victor, but the pain of loss - not just the loss of this title, but the loss of his dominance in the game - was obvious.
Nadal was humble, gracious. Holding the cup against himself, he embraced Federer in an act of gratitude before he spoke a word. Before he said anything else, he apologised to Federer and the crowd and lauded Federer in full measure. In some ways, it was a bitter-sweet experience for him. Doubtless he wanted to bask in his incredible win, but Federer's sense of loss dominated the presentation ceremony. Hard to bask, when the MC has just announced that Federer is without a doubt 'our favourite tennis player' and 'if Australia could adopt anyone, we would adopt Roger Federer'.
I don't know that Federer can regain his former dominance; Nadal has now beaten him on all three surfaces - clay, grass, hard court. There will be deep scars to overcome whenever he faces the Spaniard on the other side of the net.
I know some of you don't like Nadal, but all that personal stuff aside, I hope you can admit his incredible talent. I'm so glad that I was able to see this game - one of the best finals in tennis history and, for Nadal, a marathon, unparalleled achievement.
![Image](http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/Impenitent/01nadala3_550.jpg)