Speech by Roger Federer after Winning the 2017 Australian Open Champion

January 29, 2017

Thank you, guys.

I’m out of words and Rafa said so many great things. But of course, I’d like to also congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. I think…

I don’t think we both…either one of us believed we’re going to be in the finals of Australian when we saw each other at your academy, you know, sort of four, five months ago. And here we stand in the finals. You know, I am happy…I am happy for you. I would have been happy to lose to you. To be honest, the comeback was perfect as it was, so…I am…

Tennis…tennis is a tough sport. There is no draws. But if there was going to be one, I would have been very happy to accept the draw tonight and share it with Rafa. Really!

I know everybody…everybody says they work very hard – I did the same – I try really not to shout about it because…because some serious legends and toughest guys in the game like Rafa here tonight. So…

But I’d just like to thank my team, because it’s been a…it’s been a different last six months. Let’s be honest. I didn’t…I wasn’t sure we’re going to make it here, but here I am. And we made so. I just like to thank you guys, thank you.

Danny, my wife, …Ivan, Tony, everybody has been on the ride…It’s been amazing. So thanks for that.

And of course, there’s also Rafael’s team. You guys worked so hard over the years and deserve everything, but also we should continue success this year and many more years to come. You know, stay on the tours, stay…Keep playing, Rafa, please. Tennis needs you. So thanks very much for everything you do.

Then I’d like, of course, to thank all the sponsors. You know, this building is amazing. Thanks, Rod, for being here tonight. Again, with your presence, it’s always wonderful to have you here mean so much more, to both of us.

And of course, you guys fill up the seats and make it just a wonderful experience for us players to fight harder, and harder, and one more time, and one more time.

So it’s because of you guys that we are standing here tonight as well and we fought like we could. And yeah, you guys made it super special for me. Always, you guys have been amazing over the years.

I’ve been coming here for almost 20 years now. And I’ve always enjoyed it and now my family does too. So thank you for that.

And I hope I didn’t forget anything, but just thanks again for everything to everybody. And of course, I hope to see you next year. If not, you know, this just was a wonderful run here and I can’t be more happy to have travelled and won tonight.

Thank you very much, guys.