Before Novak Djokovic made the Australian Open his own, Roger Federer was the most prolific champion in the history of the Melbourne Major. The Swiss won six titles at the event, the last of which came in 2018.
In 2010, Federer won the title Down Under, his fourth at the tournament and 16th Major title overall. In the final, he beat former World No. 1 Andy Murray in straight sets, following a similar demolition of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinals.
More importantly, it was the Swiss' first ever Grand Slam as a father. At the end of 2009, his wife Mirka had given birth to twin daughters — Myla and Charlene. Speaking at his press conference after the final, the 20-time Grand Slam champion opened up about his celebration plans, joking that he might even wake up his sleeping babies considering how happy he was.
"Friends and family, you know. See if the babies are up. Hope not (smiling). Otherwise I'll wake them up tomorrow or I'll just grab them because I'm so happy," Federer said.
The former World No. 1 quickly added:
"No, we'll just have a good time tonight with drinks and food. That's what I usually do, regardless if I win or lose. It's something I've got the habit, you know, because I got a lot of support. I just like to let the tournament unwind a bit, you know, see where it ends. At 12:00 apparently we have a photo shoot."
Federer's next titles at the Australian Open came in 2017 and 2018, with the 2018 triumph marking the final Slam trophy of his illustrious career.
Roger Federer's first title as a dad, however, was not at the 2010 Australian Open
Interestingly, although the 2010 Australian Open was Roger Federer's first Grand Slam title as a father, it was not his first ATP title as a dad. That honor belonged to the 2009 Cincinnati Open, where he beat Novak Djokovic in the final for his 61st tour title.
At his post-tournament press conference in Melbourne, Federer emphasized that the Cincinnati win was more dear to him, coming right away following his entry into fatherhood.
"I think the special win for me was winning in Cincinnati, I think. I think the girls were barely two, three weeks old. That was terrific. That was very special. Sure, this is the first Grand Slam, but it doesn't feel as much as the Cincinnati victory felt like, just because there it was right off the bat; it was fresh," Federer said.
At the same time, he also maintained that the Australian Open win was still special, just not the same as the rush of emotions he felt after winning the ATP 1000 title a few months earlier.
"It was all in my mind, you know. So to get through that tournament by beating Andy and Novak in the semis and finals was very special. Then, of course, being a dad, just coming off the whole thing was amazing. This is obviously terrific, as well. Maybe not as much as the dad part, but just more that I can still do it, you know, after losing the US Open final," he added.
In 2014, the Swiss wife Mirka gave birth to another set of twins, this time two boys named Leo and Lenny.
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