Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2 in the Australian Open final, to win his sixth major trophy and third straight Grand Slam final over Federer and putting on hold the Swiss star's quest to match Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam singles titles!

When collected the trophy, Rafa put his arm around Federer.


"Sorry for today," Rafa told Fed. "I know how you're feeling right now. It's really tough.

"But remember you are a great champion, you are one of the best in history and you're going to improve the 14 of Sampras."

Rafa accepted the cup from Rod Laver, who was in Australia to mark the start of the 40th anniversary of the last Grand Slam season.

"To receive this trophy from Rod Laver is a dream for me," Nadal said.

Federer couldn't hold back tears at the presentation.

"Maybe I'll try later. God, it's killing me," Federer said, sobbing. He returned to congratulate Nadal within minutes, saying: "You deserved it. You played a fantastic final."

“I didn’t think I served well and that was the key to the match,” Federer said. “I played a terrible fifth set.”

Nadal now owns an amazing mark of 32-8 in finals, including 6-2 in Grand Slam title tilts. His only two losses came against Federer at Wimbledon in 2006 and 2007.

Federer was gunning for a fourth Aussie Open title, as well as his place in history alongside Sampras. He won Melbourne crowns in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
He appeared in his 79th career final (57-22). His only losses in Grand Slam finals have come against Nadal -- three times at the French Open, once at Wimbledon, and now once here Down Under.

Nadal's first-place check is worth more than $1.3 million, while Federer settled for $650,000, pushing his ATP-record total over $45 million.



(photo/Brunskill/Getty Images, WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Rafa became "The King of Australia"!