MELBOURNE, Australia — Rafael Nadal thwarted tennis history on Sunday while opening a new chapter of his own.
Nadal won his sixth Grand Slam tournament and first in Melbourne, keeping Roger Federer from claiming a record-tying 14th major with a five-set triumph at Rod Laver Arena.
Nadal beat Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 in a nearly four-and-a-half hour match. It lasted well past midnight locally into a simmering Monday morning in this southeast Australian metropolis.
Federer couldn’t hold back tears at the trophy presentation.
“Maybe I’ll try later. God, it’s killing me,” the 27-year-old Swiss star said, sobbing. He returned to congratulate Nadal within minutes, saying: “You deserved it. You played a fantastic final.”
[+] EnlargeRoger Federer & Rafael Nadal
AP Photo/Andrew BrownbillRafael Nadal’s five-set triumph on Sunday put Roger Federer’s quest for a record-tying 14th Grand Slam title on hold.
Nadal collected the trophy and put his arm around Federer.
“Roger, sorry for today. I really know how you feel right now,” Nadal said. “Remember, you’re a great champion, you’re one of the best in history.”
He accepted the cup from Rod Laver, who was in Australia to mark the start of the 40th anniversary of the last career Grand Slam season.
“To receive this trophy from Rod Laver is a dream for me,” Nadal said.
Federer, who fell to Nadal for the third straight time in a Grand Slam final after French Open and Wimbledon losses last year, turned in a routine service game to open the fifth set.
But the Spaniard responded with four straight wins en route to taking the championship.
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