Why Roger Federer was ‘emotional’ after winning his final Australian Open

After the match, Federer could not contain his tears while speaking to the crowd; clearly overwhelmed by his own achievement.

Federer later explained why he was so emotional, telling reporters that the emotions felt similar to the ones he felt after 2006 Australian Open final.

Roger Federer said he had built up a lot of emotions ahead of the 2018 Australian Open final

“I didn’t see that through my thick tears, that he was taking a picture of me crying,” Federer said during his post-match press conference when asked why he was so emotional after the match.

“I don’t know what to tell you. I was trying to explain it to the news channels. I think what happened is I got to the finals very quickly. The semis was cut short. I had a lot of emotions left in me because I didn’t have to go to extreme like last year against Nishikori, Stan, so forth.

“I think when it was all said and done, it reminded me very much of the Baghdatis final, which was tough. I was the favorite. I got to the finals in a really good manner.”

As Federer referenced, the Swiss star also became emotional after defeating Marcos Baghdatis in the 2006 Australian Open final.

On that day in 2006, Federer defeated Baghdatis 5–7, 7–5, 6–0, 6–2 to win his second title in Melbourne.

“Then when it was all said and done, Rocket [Rod Laver] gave me the trophy, I was standing in front of the people, I don’t know, it’s when it really hits me,” Federer continued.

“When I start thinking about what I was going to say, every subject I touch actually is very meaningful and very emotional.

“Thanking your team, congratulating Marin, thanking the people, thanking the tournament. At the end it’s like one big party. But I hoped over time in the speech I would start to relax a little bit, but I couldn’t.

“It was what it was. I wish it wasn’t so sometimes. At the same time I’m happy I can show emotions and share it with the people. If I got emotional, it’s because it was a full crowd again. No people in the stadium wouldn’t make me emotional, I’ll tell you that. This is for them really also.”

Roger Federer meets the One Point Slam champion

Roger Federer has taken time away from his other responsibilities to make an appearance at the 2026 Australian Open.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who retired in 2022 after 24 years on the ATP Tour, is set to headline the Australian Open Opening Ceremony when he competes in an exhibition match alongside Rafael Nadal, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.

Federer is also set to practise with two-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud on Friday.

The Swiss maestro also had the opportunity to meet an amateur tennis player who made a name for himself during Wednesday’s ‘One Point Slam.’

Jordan Smith, the New State champion, defeated the Jannik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova on his way to the One Point Slam title on Wednesday.

Smith, who won A$1 million, was pictured chatting to Federer at the Australian Open – captured by the Tennis Channel – while Novak Djokovic was playing an exhibition match against Frances Tiafoe.