ANYONE who watched Sunday night's Men's Australian Open Tennis Final would have felt privileged to witness such an event.

Featuring two of the "older” players on the circuit, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, it unfolded like the perfect script.

They played five sets of the most amazing, awe-inspiring tennis with the momentum sliding back and forth, leaving us all thrilled and intrigued as to who would eventually take the coveted prize.

When the 5th set finally came and Nadal was leading two games to love, Federer somehow managed to turn it around by winning the next five games straight and eventually winning the championship - giving him his 18th Grand Slam title.

These two superb athletes gave us the most breathtaking match and not only showed their physical and mental strengths but, more importantly, the way sport should be played - in the true spirit of the game.

Both having come back from injuries the previous year, and both being over the age of 30, they proved no barrier is too great and nothing is unreachable.

Their mutual respect for each other resonated beautifully and we can only hope others will learn from this, and that these two brilliant athletes who give so much to the sport will continue for years to come.

JAN HOPKINS

Dicky Beach