Roger Federer waltzed into the 2007 Australian Open having won two of the previous three editions of the tournament.
The Swiss Maestro, one of the greatest players in tennis history, made it three in four after defeating home favourite Fernando Gonzalez in the 2007 final.
Federer defeated the Chilean star in straight sets: 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The win marked his 10th Grand Slam title and his third straight major victory following successes at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships and US Open.
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After the 2007 Melbourne final, Federer was asked whether he was ‘impossible to play against.’
Roger Federer said he would be a ‘little bit amazed’ to see a player winning as much as he was
During his post-match press conference after the final, one reporter asked Federer: “You are unbeatable? It is impossible to play against you?”
“I mean, if I were another player, I would be amazed a little bit to see always the same guy winning,” Federer replied.
“I guess that’s how I would look at it. I remember when Lleyton [Hewitt] was number one. When I was coming up, Lleyton was No. 1 for about two years. I remember thinking, Nobody’s going to beat Lleyton.
“He’s just going to always be there, always winning. I don’t see why he should start losing because he’s just better than the others.
“I guess that’s a little bit how other players see me as well. I hope at least, you know. But that’s how I see it.”
Federer went on to win six Australian Open titles, the last being in 2017 when he defeated Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the final.
Federer, a 20-time major champion, won his final Grand Slam title that same year when he defeated Marin Cilic in the Wimbledon final.
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Roger Federer’s first Australian Open title
The 2004 Australian Open marked Roger Federer’s second Grand Slam triumph following his maiden success at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships.
Federer, seeded second at the event behind American star Andy Roddick, dropped two sets on his way to the final: against Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian.
In the final, Federer did not face the top seed as Roddick was knocked out by Marat Safin in the quarter-finals.
Safin, a two-time Grand Slam champion, fell to Federer in straight sets in the final, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2.
A year later, Safin would achieve redemption, defeating Lleyton Hewitt to win the 2005 Australian Open.
