Rafael Nadal leads the head-to-head against Roger Federer 23-12 but the latest match between the two went the way of the Swiss Master. 

Federer won the Australian Open title after a five-set win over Nadal to be crowned Grand Slam champion for a record 18th time. This was their first meeting in a major final since 2011.

The respect between the two after a storied rivalry is quite phenomenal – and if Federer’s words after his win didn’t give his admiration away for the Spaniard, then nothing else can.

 Feature image source: Reuters