Roger Federer goes for another Australian Open title

It’s a natural thing to root for the underdog but when Andy Murray plays in his first Australian Open final tomorrow, I’ll be rooting for the guy across the net who has already won everything there is to win in tennis.

That’s Roger Federer, of course.

Federer has such heart and such grace that we keep rooting for him as he continues to break records and add to his status as the greatest male player of all time.

If Federer beats Murray, it will be his fourth Australian Open title and 16 grand slam title overall. He has also won six Wimbledons, five US Opens and is the reigning French Open champion.

What I find equally impressive is that even when he doesn’t win a major tournament, he is right in the thick of things. He lost last year’s Australian and US Open finals in dramatic five-set matches and his five-year winning streak at Wimbledon only game to an end in 2008 after he lost a thrilling 9-7 fifth set to Rafael Nadal.

Federer has made it to the semifinals of every grand slam tournament he has played since Wimbledon 2004 and in all but three of those tournaments, he has also reached the final. No one can match that kind of consistency on all surfaces which include grass, clay, outdoor hard court and indoor surfaces.

Good luck at adding to your amazing legend, Roger.

In the women’s tournament, Serena Williams held off un-retired champ Justine Henin to win her fifth Australian Open crown and 12th major title overall. That puts Serena in a tie with Billie Jean King for fifth place on the all-time list. The only women who have won more are Margaret Court (24), Steffi Graf (22), Chris Evert (18) and Martina Navratilova (18).

Serena also teamed with her sister, Venus Williams, to win the women’s doubles title. They have won 11 major doubles titles together and Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2008.