I will continue, as I have throughout this thread, by NOT detailing Federer's incredible career statistics.
Every single genre of media has been swamped with such statistics to the extent that anyone could become an overnight expert on Federer, simply by spending five minutes on a computer. I created this thread for the benefit of Tennis fans, most of whom would almost certainly be able to quote Federer's achievements by heart, and don't need me to tell them what they already know.
My aim is to create interest, to inform, and to provoke constructive debate, and to ensure my posts are always a true reflection of my personal views. 
..............................................................................
Tennis Australia, and most critics claim, this tournament has proved to be the most successful Australian Grand Slam of the modern era; basing that view on record number of in ground spectators; media viewers; revenue and approval ratings, (whatever that means?
).Nothing here with which I would disagree. But, I think the world tennis authorities really do need to have a hard look at and, beggar the thought, do something about the increasing number of screamers in the women's game, (which seems to have reached epidemic proportions); the return of the totally unnecessary pre-service mutitudiness bouncing of the ball which, in the case of the usual offenders, I noted a high of 18 bounces; the deliberate delaying tactics of some players between serves. It seems to be an almost standard occurrence, in the women's matches particularly that players turned their back on their opponent until they were ready. The rule that the onus was on the receiver to be ready when the server was ready to serve is being totally ignored by both the players and, more seriously, by the chair umpire. This tactic, of course, was refined to perfection by the Mistress of Gamesmanship herself, Screamarova. After the problems experienced with the extreme heat during the tournament, this is clearly an area needing the serious attention of the administrators to obviate the possibility of a fatal accident.
Back to the Men's final. Undoubtedly Cilic & Federer proved the perfect climax to the tournament by, against all the odds, providing a very sporting match equal in thrills, skills, excitement, roller coaster emotions and physical commitment as that in the epic 2017 between Federer and Nadal. On merit these players won alternate sets to arrive at the final set, with Cilic marginally the favourite, based on his 8 year advantage; his appearance of being the fresher of the two, and the combination of Federer demonstrating difficulty handling the service of Cilic and, the most important factor of all, Federer's first service % had tumbled alarmingly into the twenties, leaving Federer looking very vulnerable to a critical break.
The third game of the set decided the match, and is likely to be indelibly imprinted in Cilic's mind as the two or three minutes when he let the Championship[ slip from his grasp. The pill must have been even more bitter to him knowing that his failures to convert the two break back point handed to him on a plate were the result of unforced errors on his part, not due to any pressure from Federer. Although he briefly threatened Federer's service game on one further occasion, there is not, currently, a player in the world who would have been capable of beating Federer, at that stage of the game.
Congratulations are due to Cilic for his performances throughout the tournament, particularly in the final, and his match against Nadal. The changes in his support team and to certain aspects of his game have demonstrably improved both his game and on court attitude. If he maintains his form, I consider him to have a real chance of causing a major upset at the French Grand Slam which, incidentally, I tip Nadal NOT to win!
As to Federer, anyone that still harboured any doubts as to his right to be considered the greatest Tennis Player of all time; the greatest & humblest Sportsman of all time, and a very special & unique human being, should take the opportunity to watch attentively every action of Federer, and listen to everything he said, during the course of the award ceremony. If you then still retain any doubts then I believe you should seriously question the set of values by which you choose to live.
AND SO ON TO THE CLAY COURTS OF NADAL LAND! :-" :-"
