Roger Federer not only established himself as the greatest male tennis player of all time, but also one of the greatest athletes in sport history.
With the record win, done in a five-set nail biter, Swiss legend Roger Federer was congratulated by several notables. The Swiss president called him afterwards, of course, since Federer is synonymous with Swiss pride.
A beloved figure both on and off the court, there were a lot of congratulatory messages, but below are some of our favs.
The BBC (along with everybody else) confirmed Fed’s the greatest of all time.
Greatest
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 28, 2018
Of
All
Time.
Roger Federer is the first man to win 2⃣0⃣ Grand Slams 👏 👏
Full report from a five-set thriller ➡ https://t.co/suwr9Y5Wpa pic.twitter.com/jnVjnL948C
The Australian Open champion didn’t want to let the trophy go.
https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/957620918699937793
Bill Gates congratulated him and is looking forward to their charity match in March.
Congrats, @rogerfederer, on winning your 20th Grand Slam. Can’t wait to see your game up close on March 5 at the #MatchforAfrica.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) January 28, 2018
Wilson gifted him with a commemorative racquet of course and had it ready to go just in case he won his 20th record GS. He did.
Today we presented @RogerFederer with 20 Commemorative Platinum Pro Staff RF97 rackets for his 20th Grand Slam win in Australia! pic.twitter.com/RGAIbtlNEi
— Wilson Tennis (@WilsonTennis) January 28, 2018
And my personal favorite, Andy Roddick — always ready with a funny quip — said that with one more slam, Fed’s record could legally drink. LOL.
Federer among the all-time greats in sport in our time.
Chris Evert said no one makes her cry like Roger Federer.
Nobody makes me cry like Roger Federer...no one... there is no one like him...
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) January 28, 2018
And who wasn’t crying during that moving ceremony?
I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING! 😭🙌
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2018
"You guys make me nervous. You guys make me practice. You guys fill the stadiums. Thank you."
- @RogerFederer 💎#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/sGHCB6mhJG
Roger gave called the trophy “Norman,” and took him for a walk in the park the next day. Last year he took him up to the Swiss Alps. Who knows what photo ops are in store for ‘Norman?’
Norman looks even more shiny in the daytime 🌞 #RF20 pic.twitter.com/VzmAOpattj
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) January 29, 2018
Speaking of Swiss, his friend and compatriot congratulated him. He also pointed to his own name — an AO winner in 2014 to remind him.
Incroyable papy !!!!!! 💥2️⃣0️⃣🏆💥@rogerfederer !!!!! pic.twitter.com/irc4wTCaUT
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 28, 2018
It’s Federer so he sipped on champagne in his press conference while displaying ‘Norman’ for everyone to see. He’s sponsored by Moet — duh. What says class like a $4M winner’s check, new silverware and a glass of bubbly? The Fed way, obviously.
2⃣0⃣ Grand Slams
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 28, 2018
3⃣6⃣ years-old.
But Roger Federer "says age is not an issue".
He isn't planning on stopping just yet.https://t.co/oT9IYeujyv pic.twitter.com/D9Wtc3FcUT
Speaking of class, he also got a call on his cell phone from the Swiss president to congratulate him. Duh on this one too.
.@rogerfederer on the phone to the President of Switzerland, @alain_berset #AusOpen #RF20 pic.twitter.com/ARpV83BUjz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2018
At $115M, he’s still the top prize earner. Duh, duh, duh.
The prize money for winning the Australian Open is $3.24 million, putting Roger Federer earning over $115M in his career. pic.twitter.com/IAAho0w07g
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 28, 2018
But he’s still a humble guy so he went to hang out with the AO staff and volunteers, with the trophy of course.
"When the #GOAT #Federer Comes to meet the staff & Volunteers post his his #AustralianOpen Final 🎾 win, it has to be special. Well done @rogerfederer , Number 20 in the bag" 🏆 ( 🎥Via Mgcini Mkwananzi) pic.twitter.com/mThH5cwxtY
— Allez Roger (@kah22jad) January 28, 2018
Fans are happy they lived in his time.
So dear grand children,
— Count de Monet (@SalooDurrani) January 28, 2018
When your grand children ask you about me.
...tell them I lived in times of @rogerfederer
Pretty cool that his opponent, Marin Cilic, was also happy for him.
It’s been a great two weeks! Congratulations to @rogerfederer and thanks for all the support #TeamCilic! See you next year @AustralianOpen! #headtennis #filatennis #capriwatch pic.twitter.com/hxNNhzLUKX
— Marin Cilic (@cilic_marin) January 28, 2018
A picture says a million words.
🏆🏆🏆👑👑👑 💥2️⃣0️⃣💥 👑👑👑🏆🏆🏆 Roger #Federer and his 20 Grand Slam titles 🏆🏆🏆👑👑👑 💥2️⃣0️⃣💥 👑👑👑🏆🏆🏆 #RF20 #GOAT pic.twitter.com/m8trjGMxuC
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) January 28, 2018
Becker noted that his path in history just keeps going.
His journey to history continues...@rogerfederer @AustralianOpen @Eurosport pic.twitter.com/0KuxRq1Tg6
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) January 28, 2018
Fed’s dominated slams for 15 years.
https://twitter.com/OffiDasratKohli/status/957586531732066304
Paul Annacone said that the legend continues. Seriously, when is he going stop? Could we be talking about 25?
https://twitter.com/paul_annacone/status/957790811332124672
Billie Jean King lauded him as the GOAT.
Congratulations to @rogerfederer, @AustralianOpen men’s singles champion and GOAT! pic.twitter.com/uernEtmTiR
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2018
Semifinalist opponent Tomas Berdych was impressed. Like, who wasn’t?
Well done @rogerfederer #impresive #20 #🏆 pic.twitter.com/8T5PbLRtYy
— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) January 28, 2018
Lindsey Vonn say there’s no question he’s the GOAT.
And that my friends is why Roger is my hero and a LEGEND!!! 100% the GOAT!!! No question about it!!! 20x grand slam titles 6x Ausi Opens! #lifeinspiration @rogerfederer 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) January 28, 2018
Zverev expressed his admiration for his mentor.
And last, but not least, ‘Norman’ got packed up with the rest of his stuff in the car because that’s how he rolls.
Norman joined us on the car ride home #NormanInTheTrunk #RF20 pic.twitter.com/1SS1pVa8vB
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) January 29, 2018
As of Monday, the world No. 2 rose up in the ATP ranking points and is within 155 points from taking the top spot from Rafael Nadal, where he would become the oldest No. 1. He already owns the record for most weeks and most consecutive weeks at No. 1.
One thing we’ve learned from the last five grand slams, never underestimate the Swiss Master.