(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Universal praise has been heaped on Australian Open champion Roger Federer and beaten finalist Rafael Nadal after the two veterans turned back the clock by contesting Sunday's Melbourne final.
Sprint star Usain Bolt, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, footballers including Germany's World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm, and former and retired tennis players such as Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Roddick were among those hailing the two stars.
Federer, 35, won a record 18th title at the majors when he beat the 30-year-old Nadal in five sets over almost four hours — a stunning comeback for both players who had spent months on the sidelines last year with injury problems.
It was the first Grand Slam title between the two since the 2011 French Open and the first major trophy for Switzerland's Federer since Wimbledon 2012.
'Congrats Roger Federer, eight-time Olympic sprint champ Bolt tweeted while the 77-year-old Nicklaus, himself an 18-time winner of golf majors, tweeted a picture of himself and Federer and pleaded: 'As a huge fan of tennis and you, don't stop there.
Federer seemingly doesn't plan to hang up his racquet very soon which was also rated good news by Del Potro, who himself had a remarkable comeback after a year of wrist problems when he claimed the 2016 Olympic silver in Rio, beating then number one Novak Djokovic in the first round and Briton Andy Murray in the final. 'Thank you both, don't you ever quit tennis!! GRANDEEE ROGER. So inspiring!! the Argentine tweeted.
Former American great Martina Navratilova spoke of 'epic tennis in the final, Lahm of 'an incredible final, and Canadian world number four Milos Raonic also agreed, tweeting: 'What a great and amazing match to wake up for. Thank you Roger, thank you Rafa.
Former US Open champion Roddick found kind words for both finalists, saying 'can't believe what I watched and naming Nadal 'one of the classiest champions I've ever known. But he also said their injury-related absence proved that tennis needed a longer off-season. 'If Rafa and Roger didn't prove the benefits of a longer off-season, I don't know what will. Let's be smart with our players and promote longevity, he tweeted.
The media also went along for the ride, as the New York Times said that for Federer the final 'really did feel like gravy after all the major meals he has enjoyed through the years.
Britain's The Guardian said: 'Both finalists have enriched the game through their personal skills and their rivalry... They have made each other great.
It added that Federer's 'right to be regarded as peerless in the history of his sport was cemented beyond argument with the latest win.
In Federer's native Switzerland, the Neue Zuercher Zeitung referred to the almost five years between his Wimbledon crown 2012 and the latest coup in Australia. 'Roger Federer's 18th title is the most significant one. It ended a period of four-and-a-half year of criticism and doubts, the NZZ said.
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