Federer collected his fourth Australian Open title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win at Rod Laver Arena that, apart from the tiebreaker, lacked the drama and raw emotion of his five-set loss here last year to then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal.
Last year, Federer sobbed when Rod Laver presented the winners’ trophy to Nadal, having missed a chance to equal Pete Sampras’ record 14 career majors.
This time, Murray was on the verge of tears, drawing deep breaths as he apologized for failing to end a 74-year-old drought for British men at the Grand Slam tournaments.
“Firstly, congratulations Roger, his achievements in tennis are incredible,” the 22-year-old Scot said. “He was a lot better than me tonight.
“Hopefully, one time I can come back and win here,” he added, his voice breaking. “I got great support back home the last couple of weeks. Sorry I couldn’t do it for you tonight but ...” Murray could barely finish his thank you, explaining: “I can cry like Roger; it’s just a shame I can’t play like him.” Federer, who had to be consoled by Nadal last year, offered Murray some reassurance.
“Well done for your incredible tournament; you played it fantastic,” Federer said. “You’re too good of a player not to win a Grand Slam, so don’t worry about it.” Federer dropped serve only twice in the match and hit 46 winners. He said he felt as good as ever.
“I’m over the moon winning this again. I think I played some of my best tennis in my life these last two weeks,” he said.
Federer saved five set points and wasted two match points in the tiebreaker with some uncharacteristic shot selection before clinching it when Murray netted a backhand after 2 hours, 41 minutes.
In the mixed doubles final, Leander Paes and Cara Black beat Ekaterina Makarova and Jaroslav Levinsky 7-5, 6-3 for the Australian title. It was the second Grand Slam title for Paes and Black as a pair, following their victory at the 2008 US Open.
The top seeds fared well at the Australian Open, with Serena Williams defending her singles title over Justine Henin and combining with her sister Venus Williams to win doubles (the sisters were seeded No. 2).
Another set of American siblings won the men’s doubles, with top-seeded twins Bob and Mike Bryan beating Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic.
