Top five Australian Open classic finals in history

Rafael Nadal has been involved in some classics at Melbourne Park.

The Australian Open is the first of the four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis. This prestigious event, which dates back to 1905, is famous for its exciting and high-quality matches that showcase the best players in the world.

The Australian Open is played on hard courts, which are fast and suit aggressive styles of play. The tournament also features extreme weather conditions, such as intense heat and strong winds, that challenge the players’ endurance and adaptability.

Classic finals played in Australian Open history from recent memory

5. Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer (2009)

Rafael Nadal’s win over Roger Federer in the Australian Open final in 2009 was perhaps one of the top entertaining matches the duo played. Rafael Nadal won in five sets: 5-7, 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 2-6.

Nadal came back from 4-2 behind to take the first set. He lost the second set and had to get medical attention for his sore right leg twice in the third set, but he managed to save six break points and clinch it in a tiebreaker.

Federer leveled the match by claiming the fourth set, but Nadal dominated the fifth. Federer was down 5-2, 15-40, and fought off two match points. But Nadal finally sealed the game and the match.

4. Thomas Johansson vs Marat Safin (2002)

In 2002, Thomas Johansson achieved his only Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. He beat Marat Safin in four sets, with a tie-break in the last one. He was the first Swedish player to win the tournament in 14 years, since Mats Wilander in 1988.

3. Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev (2022)

Rafael Nadal edged out Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 to claim his second Australian Open title and a record 21st Grand Slam.

Medvedev dominated the first two sets, but Nadal clawed his way back, breaking late in the third and fourth sets to force a decider. The final set was a tense battle, with Nadal narrowly escaping breaks before securing the victory with a late break and hold.

2. Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal (2017)

Roger Federer beat Nadal in a five-set epic in the 2017 Australian Open final, securing his 18th grand slam title.

Federer defied expectations and his age to defeat Rafael Nadal in their fifth-set ninth Grand Slam final clash. Federer defeated 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 37 minutes.Both players initially neutralized each other’s potent forehands, but Federer seized the first break in the decisive seventh game with backhand and forehand winners.

The fifth set offered agonizing drama, but Federer held firm through break points to serve for the win. His emotional celebration, five years after his previous Grand Slam, captured the magic and improbability of this astonishing victory.

1. Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal (2012)

Novak Djokovic and Nadal played a historic match in the 2012 Australian Open final, lasting almost six hours. It was the longest major final ever, surpassing the 1988 US Open final. The match was a see-saw battle, with both players exchanging breaks and sets.

Nadal won the first and fourth sets, while Djokovic won the second and third sets. The fifth set was a thriller, with Nadal leading 4-2 before Djokovic fought back to level and break again. Djokovic finally clinched the title with a 7-5 victory in the final set, claiming his third Australian Open trophy and fifth Grand Slam title.

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