LONDON, Feb 2 - Rafa Nadal, for now, quashed
Roger Federer's dreams of equalling Pete Sampras's record of 14
grand slam titles on Sunday, winning a thrilling five-set
Australian Open final.
Following is a selection of newspaper and website headlines
illustrating global media reaction to the news.
SWITZERLAND
BaslerZeitung
NADAL SETS THE BENCHMARK
Roger Federer now seems unable to win against Rafael Nadal.
What everyone was talking about Federer achieving not long ago,
now seems possible for Nadal. If Federer does manage to equal or
better Sampras's record, it seems we already know the name of
the man who will challenge it next.
Blick
TEARS FOR THE FUTURE
Almost all legendary sports stars had their legendary
rivals. The pain of yesterday's defeat will be temporary. Nadal
is the Joe Frazier of the present day. He is strong, he is young
and he is winning. But the greatest, the unequalled, the
Muhammad Ali of tennis? In the end that will be Federer.
TagesAnzeiger
NADAL MAKES FEDERER SUFFER
After already toppling Federer from the top of the world
rankings, and replacing him as Wimbledon champion, Nadal has now
stormed Federer's last stronghold by beating him at a hardcourt
Grand Slam tournament. But Federer's chances of breaking his
sport's most important record remain good.
The consistency which he has shown in recent years is unique
and will not be matched by Nadal.
SPAIN
Marca
GOD NADAL
Federer cannot fathom how his perfect tennis can be defeated
again and again by the fury of Nadal. That's why he was crying.
And it hurts Nadal. But he will carry on beating him because he
cannot help himself.
ENGLAND
Daily Telegraph
RAFA FINISHES THE REVOLUTION
Tennis has entered the neo-Rafaelite age. Only five men have
won all four grand slam titles over their careers - Fred Perry,
Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Don Budge and Andre Agassi. Now Nadal,
and not Federer, is the more likely to join that quintet.
The Guardian
NADAL'S HOLD OVER FEDERER MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE
So much has been written and discussed about the possibility
of Roger Federer being, or becoming, the greatest player of the
modern era that Rafa Nadal's extraordinary career has hardly
been considered in that light. Yet here he is, at 22 years old,
having just won his sixth major at the Australian Open. At this
age Federer had won two.
ITALY
Gazzetta dello Sport
NADAL MAKES FEDERER CRY
It will be interesting to see in the next tournaments how
Federer reacts to the new situation. The tears which he could
not stop during the ceremony were a surprise but also a moment
of weakness, or maybe of anger for a title which eluded him.
Corriere della Sera
FOR THE SWISS IT IS A NIGHTMARE
Certain moments last forever. Roger Federer left us suddenly
after four hours and 23 minutes of an incredible video game that
is not for sale.
FRANCE
L'Equipe
NADAL, REAL TOUGH NUT
If he (Federer) does not change anything, it may harm his
chances in the important matches of beating a rival who now is
the only master of the field.
Rafael Nadal can see higher, further. He now is in the best
position to take over from Rod Laver and complete a Grand Slam.
AUSTRALIA
Melbourne Herald Sun
FEDERER GOES TO WATER
Rafel Nadal was born to play Roger Federer. There is no
other player on the planet whose style, approach and mind
bruises Federer's silken craft as often or as menacingly as the
unmerciful Moroccan.
UNITED STATES
New York Times
NADAL DEFEATS A TEARFUL FEDERER IN AUSTRALIA
Nadal said that he was convinced Federer would beat
Sampras's record. Perhaps Federer will, but for now Nadal,
however respectful, keeps blocking his path.
SOUTH AFRICA
The Times
NO TIME FOR TEARS OF THE FED
Federer was entitled to his tears. Tennis is a game of great
tensions, especially when it runs to five sets in a grand slam
final. Win or lose, you need release and a bit of weeping is
better than smashing your racket against a wall.
(Editing by Miles Evans)