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Tearful Federer wins Australian Open for 20th Slam title

Roger Federer kisses the trophy after beating Marin Cilic. (AFP)
Updated 28 January 2018
AFP
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Tearful Federer wins Australian Open for 20th Slam title

Updated 28 January 2018
AFP

MELBOUNRE: A tearful Roger Federer powered home to beat Marin Cilic in five riveting sets to win his sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title on Sunday.
The Swiss defending champion dropped his only sets of the tournament before completing a 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over the sixth seeded Croatian in 3 hours 3 minutes.
Federer, playing in his 30th Grand Slam final, joined Novak Djokovic and Australian great Roy Emerson as joint top for the most Australian Open men's titles.
"I'm so happy it's unbelievable. This is a dream come true, the fairytale continues for me," Federer said at the presentation.
"After the great year last year, it's incredible," the 36-year-old added as he broke down in tears.
Federer added to his already imposing win-loss record in Melbourne and is now 94-13. His overall his Grand Slam mark stands at 332-52.
"It was an amazing journey to come to the final. It could have been the best two weeks of my life, but Roger played a great fifth set," Cilic said.
"I want to thank my team, you're unbelievable. We worked hard for this year, hopefully we will lift these trophies in the future."
The roof was closed over Rod Laver Arena as the tournament's heat policy was implemented amid evening temperatures of 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit).
Cilic's serve came under immediate pressure with a whipping backhand return winner for break point which the Croatian followed with a smash into the net for a break in the opening game.
The Croat was finding it difficult to settle and changed racquets in his second service game, but it had no obvious benefit as he dropped serve again after three break points to trail 0-3.
He finally held serve to get on the board but the Swiss star was too good, serving out the set in just 24 minutes after a shaky Cilic opening.
Federer fought off two break points in his opening service in the second set with pinpoint serves, while Cilic had a tussle before holding in the third game.
Cilic worked his way back into the match as both players traded furious forehands to stay on serve.
Cilic was break point down in the ninth, but crucially got out of it with a second serve ace down the middle followed by a forehand winner.
The Croat had a big moment in the 10th game when two Federer double faults gave him set point, but a tentative backhand into the net and a wild backhand cost him his chance.
In the tiebreaker, Cilic got to two set points when his forehand clipped the line before a winning smash levelled the match as Federer dropped his first set of the tournament.
But Cilic lost serve on the back of a couple of ground stroke errors and Federer raced 4-2 up in the third set.
The defending champion shifted gears with a stunning forehand off his toes and confidently held serve to lead 5-2 before clinically serving out the set in 29 minutes.
Cilic was then broken in the opening game of the fourth set with a poor backhand dropshot into the net as Federer closed in for the kill.
But the Croat broke back in the sixth game with three break points when Federer netted and fought off a break point in the next game to put his nose in front.
Cilic was now more in the flow and broke Federer again with his big forehands starting to find their mark. He served it out to take the absorbing final into a fifth.
But Federer stayed calm and produced quality backhands to hold on to his serve amid mounting tension.
The world No. 2 crucially broke to 2-0 and got a vital double break when Cilic netted a forehand, leaving him to serve out for the championship.

FEDERER'S SLAMS
2003 - Wimbledon - Mark Philippoussis - 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-6 (7/3)
2004 - Australian Open - Marat Safin - 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-2
2004 - Wimbledon - Andy Roddick - 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4
2004 - US Open - Lleyton Hewitt - 6-0, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0
2005 - Wimbledon - Andy Roddick - 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4
2005 - US Open - Andre Agassi - 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-1
2006 - Australian Open - Marcos Baghdatis - 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2
2006 - Wimbledon - Rafael Nadal - 6-0, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (2/7), 6-3
2006 - US Open - Andy Roddick - 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
2007 - Australian Open - Fernando Verdasco - 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4
2007 - Wimbledon - Rafael Nadal - 7-6 (9/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-2
2007 - US Open - Novak Djokovic - 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4
2008 - US Open - Andy Murray - 6-2, 7-5, 6-2
2009 - French Open - Robin Soderling - 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4
2009 - Wimbledon - Andy Roddick - 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 16-14
2010 - Australian Open - Andy Murray - 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13/11)
2012 - Wimbledon - Andy Murray - 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
2017 - Australian Open - Rafael Nadal - 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
2017 - Wimbledon - Marin Cilic - 6-3, 6-1, 6-4
2018 - Australian Open - Marin Cilic - 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
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Topics: Roger Federer tennis Australian Open Marin Cilic

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From Jeddah to the world stage: Bader Idrees and Saudi Arabia’s tennis rise

Updated 25 December 2025
Mohammed Fayad
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From Jeddah to the world stage: Bader Idrees and Saudi Arabia’s tennis rise

Updated 25 December 2025
Mohammed Fayad

RIYADH: As tennis continues to gain momentum throughout Saudi Arabia, several local players are beginning to emerge on the national and international scene. One of them is Saudi national team player Bader Idrees, whose journey mirrors the Kingdom’s evolving relationship with the sport.

Idrees’ first exposure to tennis came at a time when the local game was still developing. His interest began in early 2010 after watching his older sister train regularly.

“I was five years old when I used to watch my older sister playing tennis every day,” he told Arab News. “One of her coaches recommended that I try it out, and from the first hit, I fell in love with the sport.”

Now 20 years old, Idrees finds himself progressing alongside a country that is investing heavily in tennis. Over the past three months alone, Saudi Arabia has hosted the Six Kings Slam, the WTA Finals, and the Next Gen ATP Finals, an indication of its growing ambitions on the global tennis stage.

A defining moment in Idrees’ development came at the 2025 WTA Finals, where he reached a personal milestone in his role as a hitting partner for some of the world’s best players.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had so far,” he said. “To actually see the players and train with them was an eye-opening experience for me.”

The exposure offered by hosting elite tournaments has had a direct impact on aspiring Saudi athletes, providing valuable insight into the professional game.

“Seeing how players prepare for matches — from how they behave off the court to actually practicing on the court — was an amazing experience,” he said.

Beyond individual growth, Idrees believes the broader sporting ecosystem benefits from welcoming international events to the Kingdom.

“Hosting these events motivates every Saudi athlete,” Idrees said. “Foreign players get to know the country and the players who represent it, and it pushes us to perform better knowing that the world is watching.”

That motivation has translated into concrete goals. Idrees is planning a busy start to the year, with four international tournaments scheduled for January.

“I feel very positive about what I’ve accomplished so far, so hopefully I can kick off with a strong start in 2026.”

Despite recent progress, Idrees credits his early development at home as the foundation of his success.

“I don’t think I would be at this level if I weren’t in Saudi Arabia, and if I didn’t meet my coach Wajih there, who played a big role in my journey,” Idrees said.

To further advance his career, he later relocated to Cairo, where increased competition and exposure helped accelerate his development.

“That experience, combined with my coach’s motivation, made me believe I could truly go pro,” he said.

The journey was not without challenges. Idrees reflected on the limitations that once existed in the local tennis landscape.

“Tennis has grown massively in Saudi Arabia over the last few years,” he said. “But before that, we didn’t always have the best facilities or infrastructure. That’s why seeing the progress now makes me happy.”

Today, that transformation is happening at a rapid pace — something Idrees notices each time he returns home from international competition.

“Month by month,” as he puts it.

Whether in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, the changes are increasingly visible. Looking ahead, Idrees is optimistic about the next generation of Saudi players.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see the kids playing at the under-10 and under-12 level find themselves in the top 500 or 300 within the next 10 years,” he said. “I see the discipline and motivation in them, and it truly is something special.”

He is also realistic about his own development compared with today’s young talents.

“I wasn’t at this level at 10, 12 years old,” he admitted. “Training with kids at that age now, I’m genuinely impressed. It’s why I’m feeling very positive about their future.”

With growing infrastructure, elite-level exposure, and rising ambition, Idrees’ story represents more than personal achievement. It highlights how Saudi Arabia’s expanding role as a host of global sporting events is reshaping its tennis landscape — and how a new generation of players may be poised to make an impact on the world stage in the years ahead.

Topics: Jeddah Saudi Arabia

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