It shouldn't have happened. Honestly, if you look at the trajectory of professional tennis in late 2016, a 2017 Australian Open final featuring Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal felt like a fever dream or a nostalgia trip for fans who refused to move on. Roger was 35 and coming off a six-month injury layoff—his knee was a mess. Rafa was struggling with his wrist and hadn't made a Grand Slam final in three years. The "Big Two" were supposed to be over. Andy Murray was the World No. 1. Novak Djokovic was the dominant force. The narrative was written.
Then, Melbourne happened.
What followed was two weeks of chaos that cleared the path for the most improbable "Fedal" reunion in history. When they both stepped onto Rod Laver Arena on that Sunday, it wasn't just a match. It felt like the sport had bent time.
The Build-up Nobody Saw Coming
The 2017 Australian Open final didn't start on the court; it started in the trainer's room months earlier. Federer had missed the second half of 2016. He was the 17th seed. People were literally asking him if he was going to retire during the pre-tournament pressers. Nadal wasn't doing much better as the 9th seed.
But then the giants fell.
Djokovic lost to Denis Istomin in the second round. Murray fell to Mischa Zverev in the fourth. Suddenly, the draw opened up like a red carpet. Federer had to survive five-set wars against Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka just to get there. Nadal had to outlast Grigor Dimitrov in a semi-final that lasted nearly five hours and arguably remains one of the highest-quality matches ever played. By the time the final arrived, everyone was exhausted just watching them.
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Breaking the "Rafa Hex"
For years, the formula for beating Federer was simple but brutal: high-bouncing top-spin to the one-handed backhand. Nadal had perfected this. It’s why he led their head-to-head so convincingly for a decade. If you were a Federer fan heading into the 2017 Australian Open final, you were terrified. You had seen this movie before. Rafa grinds, Roger gets frustrated and shanks a backhand, Rafa wins.
But something was different this time.
Federer came out with a flatter, more aggressive backhand. He wasn't slicing to survive; he was stepping into the court and taking the ball early. He was hitting it like a squash shot sometimes, just flicking it back with zero fear. It was a tactical evolution that nobody expected from a 35-year-old. He basically decided that if he was going to lose, he was going to lose on his terms, swinging freely.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Federer took the first. Nadal punched back in the second. Federer cruised in the third. Nadal dug deep in the fourth.
The Fifth Set That Defined a Legacy
The fifth set of the 2017 Australian Open final is where the legend was truly cemented. When Nadal broke Federer early to lead 3-1, everyone—and I mean everyone—thought it was over. That was the script. Nadal is the ultimate front-runner in a fifth set. He doesn't give breaks back.
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Then, Federer went into a zone that defied logic.
He won five straight games. Think about that. Against Rafael Nadal, in a Grand Slam final, down a break in the fifth, he rattled off five games in a row. He was hitting winners from everywhere. It wasn't just "good tennis." it was a spiritual experience for the 15,000 people in the stands.
The final game was pure agony. Federer was serving for the championship. He faced break points. He hit an ace. He hit a forehand winner that was so close to the line it needed a Hawk-Eye challenge. When the screen finally showed "In," Federer jumped like a kid. He didn't just win a trophy; he validated the idea that his career wasn't a closing chapter.
Why This Match Changed Tennis Forever
- The Second Wind: This win sparked a massive late-career surge for both players. Federer went on to win Wimbledon that year and the Aussie Open again in 2018. Nadal took the French and the US Open.
- Tactical Shifts: Federer’s "Neo-Backhand" changed how one-handed players approached top-spin specialists. It proved that you could stay aggressive even against the heaviest hitters.
- The GOAT Debate: At the time, this moved Federer to 18 Slams, putting distance between him and Nadal (who was at 14). It reignited the "Greatest of All Time" conversation just as it seemed to be cooling off.
- Equipment Influence: Federer had switched to a larger 97-square-inch racket frame a couple of years prior. This match was the ultimate proof that the larger sweet spot was necessary for him to compete with the modern power game.
Realities and Misconceptions
A lot of people remember this match as "perfect" tennis. Honestly? It wasn't always pretty. There were moments of high tension where both guys looked tight. Federer had a medical timeout for a groin issue. Nadal looked gassed after his semi-final marathon. What made the 2017 Australian Open final special wasn't technical perfection—it was the sheer will on display.
Also, people forget how close it was. If Nadal holds serve at 3-2 in the fifth, the momentum likely carries him to the title. We’d be talking about a completely different history where Federer never wins another Slam. One or two points changed the entire record book.
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How to Apply the Lessons of 2017
If you're a competitive athlete or just someone trying to improve a skill, there are actual takeaways from this match that go beyond "wow, they're good."
First, adapt your tools. Federer didn't stay stuck in the past; he changed his racket and his swing path to deal with a specific problem (Nadal’s spin). If what you're doing isn't working, change the mechanics.
Second, embrace the "nothing to lose" mindset. Federer admitted later that being away from the tour gave him a fresh perspective. He played with a freedom he lacked in the 2014-2015 seasons when he was constantly losing to Djokovic in finals.
To truly appreciate what happened in Melbourne that year, you should go back and watch the highlights of the fifth set. Don't just look at the winners. Look at the court positioning. Federer is practically standing on the baseline, refusing to give an inch. That’s how you beat a legend.
Next Steps for Tennis Enthusiasts:
- Review the Hawk-Eye footage of the final point; it’s a masterclass in how small the margins are in professional sports.
- Study Federer's backhand take-back from 2017 versus 2012. Notice the shorter backswing and the higher contact point.
- Analyze the service placement data from the fifth set; Federer stopped going for power and started targeting the "T" with precision to keep Nadal guessing.