Fansided

The world congratulates Roger Federer’s record 20th grand slam

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final, at Government House on January 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final, at Government House on January 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) /
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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.

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.

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.

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.

And who wasn’t crying during that moving ceremony?

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?’

Speaking of Swiss, his friend and compatriot congratulated him. He also pointed to his own name — an AO winner in 2014 to remind him.

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.

Speaking of class, he also got a call on his cell phone from the Swiss president to congratulate him. Duh on this one too.

At $115M, he’s still the top prize earner. Duh, duh, duh.

But he’s still a humble guy so he went to hang out with the AO staff and volunteers, with the trophy of course.

Fans are happy they lived in his time.

Pretty cool that his opponent, Marin Cilic, was also happy for him.

A picture says a million words.

Becker noted that his path in history just keeps going.

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.

Semifinalist opponent Tomas Berdych was impressed. Like, who wasn’t?

Lindsey Vonn say there’s no question he’s the GOAT.

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.

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.

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