Roger Federer in tears as he wins 20th Grand Slam at Australian Open final

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Tom Doyle28 January 2018

Roger Federer could not hold back the tears as the 36-year-old tennis icon beat Marin Cilic to win the 2018 Australian Open and claim the 20th Grand Slam title of a legendary career.

The 20-time major winner had difficulty finishing his speech, tearing up as he thanked his team and then starting to cry as the crowd gave him a lengthy standing ovation.

Federer then blew kisses to the crowd as the Australian tennis great Rod Laver marked the moment by taking a photo with his mobile phone in the stands.

After Federer posed for photos with the trophy, he walked over to his wife Mirka in the stands and grabbed her hand while she blew him a kiss.​

Getty Images

"It's a dream come true and the fairytale continues," Federer said afterwards.

"It's been a long time waiting for this final. It's easier in the afternoon, but when it's at night you think about it all day.

"I'm happy it's over now. After the year I had last year, it's incredible."

The Swiss legend then burst into tears as he lifted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

Getty Images
Getty Images

Cilic recovered from two sets to one and a break down to force a fifth set but Federer proved stronger in the end to win 6-2 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 and join Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson in claiming his sixth title in Melbourne.

The 36-year-old, the second oldest man to win a slam title behind Ken Rosewall, moves four clear again of Rafael Nadal in terms of overall titles and is only three behind Serena Williams and four adrift of all-time record holder Margaret Court.

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