Re-watching in 2022. One of the best finals in tennis history. Missing Roger on court.

I'm watching this in 2024 and i will watch it again 10 years later. No one can beat Roger and Rafa's legacy and the impact they made in this sport. Tennis is where it is today because of them .

The joy on Federer's face after winning the match was like winning the first major of his life. He was stuck on 17 for a long time and this was his 18th. He won when everyone already wrote him off

Upon Federer's retirement announcement, this is sooooo much more emotional. There will never be another like him.

"I will never, ever forget that rally." Neither will I. One of the best moments in tennis history. I swear my heart stopped watching that.

despite the fact that i'm a nadal's fan I have to admit that fedex is a living legend. He changed the way he play through years in order to fit his physical status.

23:42 I loved his reaction 🥺😍

the respect Nadal and Federer have for each other is incredible

I will never forget this match.

Those last 5 games must go down as the greatest Roger has played in his career!!

18:00 is my favorite point ever played. Roger means so much to me and so many people. He's the reason Tennis is where it is today.

The winning forehand at the end of the 26 shot rally was jaw-dropping. I WILL NEVER, EVER FORGET THAT RALLY.

the first 4 sets were not outstanding, as both players had lost their bets after early break ... but the fifth set was one of the best tennis sets in the history

As a Federer fan, this is probably the strongest sporting memory I have where I am not involved myself.. I remember doubting that Roger would ever play again after 2016. At Hopman Cup he looked ok but hardly a challenger for the title. The first 2 matches at AO he looked rusty and definitely not good enough to be the champion. But the 3rd round was special.. look up Berdych’s interview at Rotterdam about a month later what he thought about Roger’s performance in that match. It was to me one of his best matches ever. 4th round against Nishikori was a different challenge but he toughed it out in 5 sets. Showed that he was there both physically and mentally. The quarters against Zverev was the perfect opponent at that time since he was timing his passing shots to perfection and had an easy win. The semi against Stan was to me actually a so-so match.. and in the 5th Roger looked out but Stan couldn’t take advantage and finished that match very weakly. And then the final.. before it happened I actually thought about that a dream scenario would be that Roger would face Rafa in the final and come from behind in the 5th set to win it. That would be a moment for all Federer fans to remember forever. Still, I didn’t want Rafa to make the final since once again I saw Rafa as the winner in the potential final. And during the match I was between hope and despair and when the 5th set started with a break I couldn’t watch any more. Busy with other things but still didn’t want to see the inevitable loss. About 20 minutes later I decided to rewatch and came just in time to see Roger break for 5-3 and despite being late for a game of my own this was not to be missed. Those 7-8 minutes it took for Roger to serve it out was one of the nerviest things I have ever seen but it was worth it. Losing 4th set, being down a break in the 5th and turn it around against Rafa in the final to get his first win against his biggest nemesis in a slam for a decade.. Coming back from injury at 35 years of age.. It just doesn’t get any better than that and should be the perfect movie script one day. Losses (and wins) after this actually doesn’t mean THAT much anymore. To me this is and probably always will be Roger’s greatest achievement.

Immediately came back to this match after hearing of Federer's retirement. Never going to see a player like him again.

This is the game where everyone doubted Federer because the "stats" are against him. He is the underdog coming in to this. So many have said that it would not be possible at all to win against Nadal, their matchup record just says so. This has got to be the most meaningful and most fulfilling tennis win that I've witnessed in my life, I teared a little.

Final set, 4-3, 40-40, that point is exactly what we watch tennis for 🔥

18:00 The best point of the tournament

Back watching this after Fed lost in 2021 Wimbledon QF. How I would like to see him win just one more slam 😔

This one is probably the most epic match Roger played since 2008 final (if only Roger won 19WB final though). Unbelievable quality and unforgettable. Historic victory for RF.

Can’t wait...AO always providing best content for free!

AO 2017 Is one of the most epic and magnific tournaments of all the Time. What a final. The swiss maestro vs el magnífico Nadal.

Lmao when Nadal shrugged at 23:30 he was just like "I still got my french opens" Lol

The way both of them were making comebacks was Insane... What a great match!!!

I remember watching this live and thinking, "This is going to be one of the all time great matches" and it has lived up to its reputation.

23:42-priceless reacion of federer

What a champion. I love Federer. He’s the best guy, I swear. Nadal’s a champion too. This era of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic is the best era for men’s tennis since the days of Borg-McEnroe-Connors, the 1950’s with Kramer-Gonzales-Segura-Hoad-Rosewall-Sedgman. and the late 1920’s with Bill Tilden and The Three Musketeers, Cochet, Borotra and Lacoste.

Thanks for Roger😭

That 5th set was the greatest set Roger played in his entire career

Unbelievable to think that two years have already passed since this classic. I clearly remember how the throwback slam went, and in my heart of hearts I had hoped for a Fedal final when the tournament began. But that was borderline delusional a thought till Novak lost in the 2nd round, and what strengthened my expectations of such a final was Roger's dogfight with Kei, and Rafa refusing to be brow-beaten by Sascha, showing that the two legends were not going to lack any convictions about giving it their all to get to the final stages of the tournament. And then this final; while the first four sets were actually not all that memorable in terms of sustained competitiveness (it was one player dominating over the other), the shotmaking from Roger suggested that he was in and ready for another battle of wills, this time against his greatest nemesis. He was going full tilt on his BH crosscourt and opening up the DTL, much like Novak's very own, patented blueprint for success against Rafa. He barely ever sliced his BH, and robbed Rafa of any rhythm. Rafa, on the other hand, forced to change tactics as a result, was pummeling his own BH crosscourt (he hits it harder quite often than his FH now) and attacking Roger's FH. The fifth set has to be one of the most dramatic sets ever played in tennis history, given the context. A break down, one would have expected Roger to wilt away; certainly, the younger Roger from '09 would have lost belief, and one would have forgiven him for not having scaled his greatest obstacle in Rafa in a crunch match, again. But there was something different about this version of the Maestro; rather than give in, he was vocal, relentless, and even went a feet or two behind the baseline to take more full-blooded cuts at the ball; it is unusual for him to do that, given how much he hugs the baseline and refuses to give up territory. In each of Rafa's service games, there were multiple bp's; I am sure, with all his will in saving those bp's, Rafa did not expect Roger to hang in this long. Fatigue from his epic against Grigor may have been kicking in as well, but I guess that is a non-factor (we know what happened in 2009..). I stayed glued to the television knowing that even if Roger lost, he wasn't going down easy. That 26-shot rally was the culmination of both these guys' skills, wills, sweat, tears, and legacies rolled into 35 seconds of otherworldly tennis that we mere mortals can only dream of matching. Both men were past their physical primes, both were written off, both were not even considered dark-horses to Andy's and Novak's duopoly at the time. Given the situation, this is Roger Federer's most inspirational achievement, and arguably his greatest accomplishment ever.

That rally was the best ever in the history of tennis for sure!! Even though Nadal may be the GOAT now after winning his 21 GS but for me, Roger will always be the best ever because of his style(grace), class and sportsmanship!!

'I will never ever forget that rally.'

Such an inspiration when the GOATs meet. One of my favourite matches. Privileged to watch this over and over again.

"I will never ever forget the rally, the jaw-dropping stuff from two players!" ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥oh my gosh!!!!! I love Federer forever!!!!!

The Federer backhand on this night was the key !

Miss you already Roger, but fortunately we still have these videos!

Two greats in tennis and in class. Love you Roger and Rafael!!!

It's great to see both Federer and Nadal playing their best in the final game of the tournament. The match was a classic.

It's match replays like this one that remind me why Federer and Nadal are special in particular. It's not enough to just hit percentage shots expertly; when you INNOVATE and INVENT that's when your tennis is truly memorable.

this is not my first time watching this, and wont be the last, i absolutely love this encounter. practically memorised this , but still will watch it whenever i can

I just watched the whole video again and it was well worth it. Great moments in tennis history.

Don't understand why I still be crying every time I watched this match, love you Roger, hope you to win Wimbledon 2019, believe in you !

I stayed up to watch this match in the U.S. That fifth set was so nerve-racking! This is the only match where I had tears at the end. Legend.

Roger is my all time favourite player ❤

Who is watching this after Roger announced his retirement 😭😭😭❤️❤️👏👏👏👏

One of the best match ever between Roger & Rafa, equally as good as the 2008 Wimbledon final. Never bored of watching this match over and over again, not only because Roger end up victorious, but the tension & drama, the rallies and magnificent shot making from both. Roger & Rafa, together with Novak is truly legend of the game, the best era of men's tennis 😊😊

I’m re watching it today like it was yesterday!!! Amazing match!!! One of The best of Federer!!!

Finally can watch this without heartbreak. Vamos RAFA. You got your redemption

Best match ever, 2 legends of tennis

Who is watching this to get ready for Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal semi final at the French Open 2019 ?

Match like this will always make me cry.

There will never be anyone like Federer again. Sheer class.

AO TV is the best official tennis channel, and I love their AO Classics because so much of the old footage isn't available anywhere else. So I hate to sound like a greedy jerk, but I've already seen higher quality highlights of this match from a dozen different private youtube channels over the last 2 years. For a 2017 match, this framerate is moving in slow motion.

The last set will be remembered in Tennis history for ever. The two greatest players of the last 15 years battling for the title. Could not have been better.

When federer ups his game.... It's simply magic

I'm glad he won this but I'm crying after Wimbledon 2019

one of my fave finals. I was so happy when he won. Such a great and exciting match with amazing momentum swings.

18:03 That return from Federer was like the ball swiftly changed direction! AHHMAZING🤩

Coming back here to watch this, brings back so much memories! This had to be one of the best matches!

That backhand from Federer was amazing that night. Had always been fed’s kryptonite against Nadal’s forehand, but not on that night.

This match is truly a Gift from the tennis Gods. These guys, along with Djokovic, are clearly the greatest tennis players of all time.

as I always watched these two great players of tennis played, wow, from their 2009 battle of champions in AO till 2017...amazing..how I witness these two greats play each other in my generation...FEDAL... Two G.O.A.T. of Tennis

Watching after the GOAT announced his retirement. Tennis won't be the same without him.

I will never ever forget this match ....One of the best finals in tennis history from two outstanding players

This is how the highlights should be instead of the 3 min from the US Open final from 2019

Federer was always my favourite, and I “hated” Nadal. But now I’m older I’m Federer = Nadal, and am so happy Rafa got his 21st🏆. Especially after he lost to Fed in 17’

Have fun on your retirement Mr. Federer. What an awesome career and ride it has been cheering for you. 🐐🇨🇭

I remember this day. I watched the entire match at our living room with my mom and brother. I am a huge Federer fan, I was waiting five years for this and that dream was almost crushed when Nadal got the upper hand early in the 5th set, only to be turned around by Federer after. I remember when he won, my mom and I literally leaped out of our couches and started jumping because we were so happy. I ended up treating my colleagues at work the next day with some ice cream because I was that happy. I miss him play today but I know he has to recuperate. But yes, I would never ever forget this match. It was amazing. And yea, that rally at 18:00? I posted that in my Instagram profile when it got uploaded after the match so I wont forget.

I'm a djokovic fan, but the elegance of Roger Federer's style of play is truly stunning. I will miss it when he retires.

Today (29.1.2022) is the 5th anniversary since Roger won here. And Rafa, who is 5 years younger than Roger, is on the way to won his 21st Grand Slam Update(30.01.2022): and Rafa has done it! Vamos👏💪💪🇪🇸🐐 Fedal✅👏🐑🐐

AO always provides the ground on where Roger makes his own games unforgettable classics. Good job AO! You are the shortest in terms of history but the best Grand Slam.

Rewatching in 2024 AO days. Missing these two legends. Tennis has lost its flavour since these two are gone. It’s not about beautiful game and techniques anymore, just who lasts longer.

The shot at 21;29 doesn't get enough credit. Falling backwards cross court winner away from body. Especially on break point in such a huge game. GOAT.

This was my last Aus Open final I got to see from America. What a treat and felt so happy Roger won. Words can’t explain. Nice gift after that epic Wimbledon final Rafa won in 2009… an all day match… what a beautiful sport this is…

Re-watching in 2024. Incredible. I think we will never see tennis players like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic anymore.They are GOAT. Without debating

Re-Watching this during college, man do I miss these guys 🤝

7:35 "Phenomenadal"

Aún me emociona esa final. El último juego fue cardíaco e inolvidable la celebración del Sr. Roger Federer ❤

Amazing match I still remember every second of this match

Federer's backhand is a Wonder of the World.

best match ever come on Rogerrrrr🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

The Most Humble Tennis Great of All Time! No one will ever play tennis as graceful, as powerful and as passionate as RF!

It's 2023 and still a fresh! This clash of titans will be ever remembered!!

I WILL NEVER EVER, FORGET THAT MATCH!

Finally Rafa gets his much coveted 2nd Australian open And his number 21 This was the closest he was to getting it twice before yesterday ❤️❤️ Both legends

The edge. I have heard it all my life. The top athletes, when competing against each other, always win by a small margin. Federer took this to the edge. Nadal missed 3 shots and Federer's aces in this last game are what gave it to Federer. The edge.

Fifth set is so incredibly fantastic. Can’t help seeing again and again.

Rivalry with Nadal was fierce and friendship so smooth. Love the transition

This match is one of my favourite matches ever, but still, the 2008 Wimbledon final has to be the greatest match ever. As a roger fan I dont even care if Rafa won, that match was simply spectacular.

Hoping for a 2020 final like this ❤️

Best rivalry in sports history. There's no other sport where two rivals are this good, this close. What stands out though is the mutual respect these two have. We really are blessed to witness this and to witness such a great sport and inspiring personalities.

Watching this has and will never get old #GOAT

Best Early morning Refreshment ! #GOAT.. Thank you AO!

I will never forget this tournament, what a match was that! Maybe, he will not be GOAT forever, but in my heart, he will be.

The greatest slam title ever: 6 months out of the game, beats 4 top 10 players, three 5 set matches, and defeats his nemesis in the final from a break down in 5th set.

23:40 essa comemoração é uma das coisas mais emocionantes que já vi, ao vivo, em minha vida. Um gênio do esporte mundial, totalmente entregue como uma criança comemorando um feito pela primeira vez. Este AO aos 36 anos, contra Rafael Nadal (com 31 anos), estando 5 anos sem vencer um grand slam, uma cirurgia no joelho e 6 meses parado foi o selo definitivo de melhor tenista da história que todos já sabiam. História.

Thank you Australian Open TV!

This game always soothes me from the wounds of Wimbledon 2008

There is a talk about big 3. But these men are original big 2 and Nadal had been chasing Federer records all his career. Finally he overtakes in AO2022. What a rivalry.

I am watching this again.