Why Federer hasn't spoken to Nadal about 2017 final
Roger Federer has revealed why he hasn't spoken to Rafael Nadal about their incredible Australian Open final in 2017.
Trailing 1-3 in the fifth set, Federer staged a remarkable comeback to claim his 19th major title, leaving Nadal ruing what could have been.
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On the eve of the 2018 edition of the Melbourne Park grand slam, Federer has opened up about the aftermath of the classic final.
In the 2017 Australian Open Official Film, Federer was asked about the first time he spoke to Nadal about their five-set encounter.
"I don't think we ever did talk about it, it's not something you really do," Federer revealed.
"You talk about it in the press, but you never really sit down and say 'how was the Australian Open for you?'
"Especially for the loser's sake, you don't go there because you don't know how much it might have hurt him."
The Official Film also aired new footage of the moment Federer called his kids to let them know he'd won the Australian Open.
The Swiss legend was on the verge of tears as he showed his four children the Australian Open trophy, blowing kisses and laughing at their jokes.
One of his kids remarked that he could eat soup out of the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, seemingly unaware of the gravity of his remarkable comeback triumph at the age of 35.
Earlier this week Federer said he's living the dream as he prepares to defend his crown.
Twelve months on from his unforgettable surge to a fifth Open crown aged 35 and in his first official tournament back after six months out of the game, Federer admits he can still barely believe what he pulled off.
The Swiss marvel rates his magical Melbourne Park comeback from a career-threatening knee injury above even his incredible eighth Wimbledon triumph last July.
"I just thought that the game and the wins weren't going to come, I was probably going to lose at some stage," Federer said at Thursday night's Open draw at Melbourne Park.
"The quarters, semis at best, because I would just run into a red-hot Djokovic or Murray or Nadal or somebody and my game wasn't going to be good enough for that day - and it was.
"I had all these great five-setters and, at the end, the epic match against Rafa and, of course after six, seven matches, you start feeling like a different player, that you can't miss anymore and the fifth set was maybe the best set I ever played.
"So (it was) a huge surprise, especially after the six months I had off, and what a comeback it was and it was definitely the highlight of the year.
"It even beats Wimbledon and all the other tournaments I won last year."
The Federer fairytale has continued in 2018, with the record-setting 19-times grand slam champion opening his 20th season on tour with an undefeated run at the Hopman Cup in Perth.
with AAP