Melbourne: World number two Roger Federer said that
he wished Rafael Nadal well after the Spaniard retired from his
Australian Open quarterfinal against Marin Cilic with a leg injury.
The 36-year-old tennis ace revealed that he sent a message of goodwill to the world number one.
After his quarterfinal win over Tomas Berdych at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, Federer said he sent a text message to Nadal before he went to sleep, adding, "I'm happy the news is not terrible. It's not nice to see fellow rival and friend go out like this."
Nadal had to withdraw in the fifth set of his quarterfinal with Cilic video-.https://youtu.be/Ed_ebh3tP5A
Federer added, "At this point, I wrote Rafa late last night before I went to bed, it was the last thing I did. I was like "right, I've got to write to Rafa and see how he's doing and that I hoped he was going to be ok with the scan today. I wish him well."
The Swiss maestro, who beat Nadal in last year's final at Australian Open, also commented on his rival's new look for this year's Australian Open - a sleeveless shirt similar to the one Nadal used to wear in his teenage years.
He joked that he can never pull off the look himself in court.
Meanwhile, Federer won his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych and reached his 14th Australian Open semifinal with a straight-sets victory 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 6-4 in the Rod Laver Arena.
Federer will now face unseeded 21-year-old Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the last four on Friday.
To honor and celebrate Roger's 20th Grand Slam title, Wilson has created an exclusive Collector's Edition Platinum Racquet Package, complete with a special Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph racquet painted in a metallic, glittering platinum-colored paint.
Roger autographed these racquets after his win in Melbourne.
The color platinum is widely used to the mark the achievement of 20th milestones.
Along with the limited edition platinum racquet, each package includes a Roger Federer signed Australian Open Wilson tennis ball and a premium box to display this commemorative racquet and ball. The Package also includes a series of mini-posters documenting Roger's 20 Grand Slams titles, a photo of Roger Federer holding the commemorative racquet and the certificate of authenticity. Proceeds go to the Roger Federer Foundation.
However, Cilic settled in after dropping the first set quickly and the match became close with both exchanging big serves and groundstrokes to dictate points. Pushing the match to five sets, Roger was able to break right off the bat in the 5th giving him the lead he needed to remain calm and play offensive. Roger successfully captured his 6th Australian Open 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Pausing with emotion, Roger was overwhelmed while giving his speech after a five set battle against Cilic.
"I'm so happy, it's unbelievable,” he said in an emotional speech. "It's been a long time waiting for this final. It's easier in the afternoon, but when it's at night you think about it all day. I'm happy it's over now. It's a dream come true and the fairy-tale continues. After the year I had last year, it's incredible."
Roger is now the 3rd man after Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver, in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slam titles after the age of 30. He also moves within 155 points of the number one ranking. He is now tied for second on the list with 94 Tour level titles with Ivan Lendl, behind Jimmy Connors who has 109.
The 36-year-old tennis ace revealed that he sent a message of goodwill to the world number one.
After his quarterfinal win over Tomas Berdych at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, Federer said he sent a text message to Nadal before he went to sleep, adding, "I'm happy the news is not terrible. It's not nice to see fellow rival and friend go out like this."
Federer added, "At this point, I wrote Rafa late last night before I went to bed, it was the last thing I did. I was like "right, I've got to write to Rafa and see how he's doing and that I hoped he was going to be ok with the scan today. I wish him well."
The Swiss maestro, who beat Nadal in last year's final at Australian Open, also commented on his rival's new look for this year's Australian Open - a sleeveless shirt similar to the one Nadal used to wear in his teenage years.
He joked that he can never pull off the look himself in court.
Meanwhile, Federer won his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych and reached his 14th Australian Open semifinal with a straight-sets victory 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 6-4 in the Rod Laver Arena.
Federer will now face unseeded 21-year-old Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the last four on Friday.
To honor and celebrate Roger's 20th Grand Slam title, Wilson has created an exclusive Collector's Edition Platinum Racquet Package, complete with a special Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph racquet painted in a metallic, glittering platinum-colored paint.
Roger autographed these racquets after his win in Melbourne.
The color platinum is widely used to the mark the achievement of 20th milestones.
Along with the limited edition platinum racquet, each package includes a Roger Federer signed Australian Open Wilson tennis ball and a premium box to display this commemorative racquet and ball. The Package also includes a series of mini-posters documenting Roger's 20 Grand Slams titles, a photo of Roger Federer holding the commemorative racquet and the certificate of authenticity. Proceeds go to the Roger Federer Foundation.
Roger Captures his 6th Australian Open, 20th Major
He did it! The dream continues for Roger Federer as he captured his 6th Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam Title today.
Taking a quick, dominating start to the match, it looked as if the Croatian, Marin Cilic, was going to be no match for the Swiss Maestro.However, Cilic settled in after dropping the first set quickly and the match became close with both exchanging big serves and groundstrokes to dictate points. Pushing the match to five sets, Roger was able to break right off the bat in the 5th giving him the lead he needed to remain calm and play offensive. Roger successfully captured his 6th Australian Open 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Pausing with emotion, Roger was overwhelmed while giving his speech after a five set battle against Cilic.
"I'm so happy, it's unbelievable,” he said in an emotional speech. "It's been a long time waiting for this final. It's easier in the afternoon, but when it's at night you think about it all day. I'm happy it's over now. It's a dream come true and the fairy-tale continues. After the year I had last year, it's incredible."
Roger is now the 3rd man after Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver, in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slam titles after the age of 30. He also moves within 155 points of the number one ranking. He is now tied for second on the list with 94 Tour level titles with Ivan Lendl, behind Jimmy Connors who has 109.
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