TENNIS:RAFAEL NADAL described his first Australian Open victory as a "dream win" after claiming his first hard-court grand slam title with a five-set victory over Roger Federer.
“It is very special for me. It’s a dream win, one grand slam on a hard court,” said the 22-year-old Nadal, the first Spanish player to win the Australian Open.
“I’ve worked very hard all my life to improve my tennis outside of clay. I’m very happy, very happy to win the title.”
Nadal felt some sympathy for the man he defeated, especially given Federer’s emotional state after the match, but was thrilled to receive the trophy from one of the greatest players of all time, Rod Laver.
“Everything was special. I was sorry it was a tough moment for Rog today. I know how tough it must be there for him. But he’s a great champion.
“He’s the best and he’s for sure a very important person for our sport.”
Having come through a thrilling, five-set match against Davis Cup team-mate Fernando Verdasco in the semi-finals, Nadal became the first man since Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001 to win a grand slam title with five-set victories in the semi and final.
The Spaniard required two spells of massage to his right thigh during the third set and admitted he had come into the final with a hamstring niggle after his record-breaking, five hours, 14 minutes on court against Verdasco.
Rafael Nadal
Born in Manacor, Majorca, June 3rd, 1986
Turned professional in 2001
Six Grand Slam titles: French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008; Wimbledon 2008; Australian Open 2009.
Became first man since Swede Mats Wilander in 1982 to win the French Open title on debut in June 2005.
In 2006 won his second successive French Open title with victory over Federer in the final and became the first Spanish man to reach the Wimbledon final, losing to Federer, since 1966.
In 2007, became first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win hat-trick of French Open titles.
In 2008 matched Borg record of four successive French Open titles (1978 to 1981) to make it 28 wins from 28 at Roland Garros.
Later in 2008 beat then world number one and defending champion Federer to win his first Wimbledon title. The final was described by some pundits as the greatest match ever.
Ended Federer's four-and-a- half-year reign as world number one in August, 2008.
Won gold medal at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
In 2009, beat Federer in the final in Melbourne to become the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open.
