Emotional Roger Federer beats Marin Cilic in Australian Open for 20th Grand Slam title

Sandra Harwitt, Special for USA TODAY Sports Published 6:39 a.m. ET Jan. 28, 2018 | Updated 10:36 a.m. ET Jan. 28, 2018

Tennis Channel recaps the women's final at the Australian Open, where Caroline Wozniacki outlasted Simona Halep in three sets to capture her first career Grand Slam championship. USA TODAY Sports

MELBOURNE — What do you do when your Roger Federer, and at 36 years, 173 days old you just stole another piece of tennis history by winning your 20th Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open?

The answer to that question is cry, and keep crying.

And that’s exactly what the Swiss master did as he delivered an impassioned on-court speech to the crowd after his 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win against Marin Cilic to defend his Australian Open crown on Sunday night.

Federer started off poised as he soul-searched to explain how it feels to win another major and, quite simply, to be Roger Federer.

“I’m so happy it’s unbelievable,” he said. “Winning is just an absolute dream come true. The fairy tale continues. After the great win I had here last year, it’s incredible.”

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This was not the first time fans have seen Federer weep with joy. In fact, he’s often made a habit of it. But this time around he wasn’t able to control his passionate response.

As he kept speaking, the emotions kept building to where his voice cracked and the tears began flowing. As much as he tried to wipe them away, there was no stopping the flood, so he just stopped talking and stepped back.

“When I start thinking about what I was going to say, every subject I touch actually is very meaningful and very emotional,” Federer explained. “Thanking your team, congratulating Marin, thanking the people, thanking the tournament. At the end it's like one big party.

“I hoped over time in the speech I would start to relax a little bit, but I couldn’t,” he added. "I wish it wasn't so sometimes. At the same time I'm happy I can show emotions and share it with the people.”

To do what Federer’s done in his career is astounding. No other man in the game has been able to fill their trophy room with 20 souvenirs representing his victories at the four most cherished tennis events in the world.

There’s now six from the Australian Open, eight from Wimbledon, and five from the U.S. Open. And, of course, there’s the one from the French Open, the hardest to come by, which finally became a reality on his fourth consecutive trip to the final in 2009. In all, he played in five French Open finals.

Federer, who will remain in the No. 2 ranking behind Rafael Nadal, joins Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22) as the only four players to capture at least 20 singles trophies at the majors.

To still be achieving the consistent level of greatness on the closer side of 40 adds to the astonishment associated with his conquests. While he isn’t the oldest man to tabulate such notable results, he’s definitely one of the lucky few.

Federer is now the third man along with Australians Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall to win four or more majors after joining the 30-and-over club. Federer’s three previous wins since he turned 30 are at the 2012 Wimbledon (2012 and 2017) and the Australian Open (2017).

The Swiss has now won his last three major since turning 35. Only Rosewall also won Grand Slam trophies after his 35th birthday, which he accomplished eight times. His last was at the 1974 U.S. Open, when at 39 years, 310 days old he beat Jimmy Connors while losing only two games.

He had no answer when asked how long he can realistically go on playing, especially at this level.

“No idea,” he said. “Honest, I don't know. I have no idea. I've won three slams now in 12 months. I can't believe it myself. I just got to keep a good schedule, stay hungry, then maybe good things can happen.

“Then I don't think age is an issue, per se,” he added. “It's just a number. But I need to be very careful in my planning, really decide beforehand what are my goals, what are my priorities. I think that's what's going to dictate how successful I will be.”

As for putting his success at Melbourne Park in context, Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson are the only other men to win the Australian Open on six occasions.

In comparison to Federer, who is now 20-10 in Grand Slam finals, the 29-year-old Cilic stands at 1-2 in championship matches at the majors. Cilic, who will advance to a career high No. 3 ranking as reward for his Australian Open, won his one Grand Slam title at the 2014 U.S. Open, which is also where he won the only match in 10 played against Federer in the semifinals.

Cilic was happier with his performance than he was when, suffering with blisters, he limped to a loss to Federer in the Wimbledon final last year. Following the match on Sunday, Cilic offered praise for how Federer continues to set himself apart from most of the rest of the competition.

“(His) passion to compete, season after season, especially at this high level,” he said. “Then, also, being able to challenge himself, first physically and then mentally, as well, to be at the top almost every single week.” .

Roger Federer holds the Australian Open trophy, celebrating his 20th career Grand Slam singles titles. It's the 6th time he's held the Australian Open championship hardware. He has reached the Aussie Open title match seven times in total. Saeed Khan, AFP/Getty Images

Emotional Roger Federer beats Marin Cilic in Australian Open for 20th Grand Slam title

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