Mumbai [India], Jan. 30 : Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has said he never wanted the summit clash of the Australian Open between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to get over.
The Swiss legend came out on top after a rollercoaster ride in the 35th chapter of his rivalry with Nadal to win his fifth Australian Open 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 and clinch a first grand slam title in four and a half years on Sunday.
Federer, the 17th seed, hit 73 winners, including 20 aces, and won 76 per cent of his first service points for victory in three hours and 37 minutes.
The Spaniard, who went 4/17 in break points won, committed 28 unforced errors- 29 fewer than Federer. Speaking in a promotional event in Mumbai, Tendulkar said, "Tennis was excited. In fact, I got excited well before the match and the previous day I tweeted 'Any guesses for whom I am cheering'.
I got a lot of responses." With the win, the 35-year-old Swiss extended his lead over Nadal in the all-time major wins list to four with his first Melbourne Park crown since 2010, and his fist major title win since Wimbledon 2012.
"I have always been a huge fan of Roger Federer. Unfortunately, I had some prior commitments yesterday, so as and when I got time, I was watching. I was one of those guys who did not want the match to get over," he added. The 43-year-old cricket legend further said he was able to enjoy the epic finale more so because he could relate to both the tennis stars.
"I was sitting in the airport lounge and I managed to watch the last two-three games and the quality of tennis of just incredible.
More so, I could enjoy it because I could relate myself with both those athletes," he asserted. Comparing his career with that of Nadal and Federer, Tendulkar recalled an incident of 2005-06 wherein he was asked about his retirement plans, and said that it was after that incident his best years came.
"I had a lot of injuries and I got through tough times along the way and I think in 2005-06, I was asked 'When are you going to retire?' And best years came after that.
The biggest thing happened in my life after that we won 2011 World Cup," he said. "I could actually understand what both those athletes were feeling and Federer actually said that in his post-match speech that both of them never thought that they would be standing in the middle of the court.
But it was all about enjoying the sport," he added. The Master Blaster further said that the thrilling final at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne was just an extension of the exciting Federer-Nadal rivalry.
"They both have done whatever they had to and we've enjoyed their tennis. This (Australian Open final) was just an extension of what they had done in the past. They gave us remarkable moments and something that will stay with us forever," he said..
Source: ANI
