Roger Federer overcame Marin Cilic in five sets on Sunday to win the Australian Open, much to the delight of his huge following across the world.
The 36-year-old, who claimed a remarkable 20th Grand Slam title in Melbourne, was hugely lauded on social media by some of the top sports stars around the globe following his latest success.
The likes of Eugenie Bouchard, Rio Ferdinand and Mesut Ozil were among the stars to lead the tributes to one of the greatest sportsman of all time.
Tennis great Roger Federer became the first man to win 20 Grand Slam career titles on Sunday
23-year-old Canadian Bouchard amusingly took to Twitter to post a photo of Federer’s face imposed onto internet sensation Salt Bae, while showing him sprinkling the Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open and French Open titles.
Andrew Castle had some special words to give the Swiss athlete following his latest success. The 54-year-old said: ‘Federer is the 1st man to win 20 Grand Slam Singles titles. Really can’t imagine there is a greater sportsman than him.
‘Only Court, Williams and Graf have won more Majors. Cilic was magnificent, especially after the disappointment of his Wimbledon Final.’
Meanwhile, former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand posted a couple of throwback pictures on Twitter of him chilling with Federer, while joking: ‘The coolest, most talented, most driven person to ever pick up a tennis racket.
Eugenie Bouchard posted this amusing Roger Federer/Salt Bae mix on Twitter on Sunday
Former tennis professional Andrew Castle believes Federer is the greatest sportsman
Rio Ferdinand uploaded this tribute to Federer following his victory over Marin Cilic
‘And the man doesn’t even break sweat winning these titles…. 20 Grand Slams!!!! Didn’t even sweat in the kitchen when he cooked me a 3 course meal!!’
German football stars Philipp Lahm and Mesut Ozil also took to their respective social media channels to congratulate Federer on his enthralling win in Melbourne.
Praise kept flooding in for Federer on social media, with Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan writing on Twitter: ‘Congratulations Roger Federer on yet another grand slam.
‘Number 20, a truly remarkable feat. An inspiration to us all with the way you conduct yourself on and off the court. A legacy which should be followed by all.’
Retired football Philipp Lahm congratulated fellow sporting great Federer on Sunday
Mesut Ozil labelled Federer the ‘greatest tennis player ever’ on social media on the weekend
Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has described the 36-year-old as an ‘inspiration to us all’
Cricket stars even got involved in showing their admiration for Federer. India’s Rohit Sharma said: ’20 grand slam titles, but watching him play it seems like he’s fighting for his first one. The humility and intensity hasn’t diminished at all. Inspirational #GOAT.’
And Yuvraj Singh got in the act, writing: ’20th grand slam for the champion Roger Federer and icon of self belief! This legend is seriously inspirational, keep going Roger!’
Furthermore, tennis legend Billie Jean King called labelled Federer a ‘GOAT’ moments after his victory.
Federer was bombarded with plenty of congratulatory messages on Sunday and it doesn’t appear this will stop any time soon after the tennis great made even more history.
Rohit Sharma insists Federer’s intensity ‘hasn’t diminished at all’ after the win over Cilic
‘Icon of self belief’ is how Yuvraj Singh decided to describe the tennis great on Sunday
Furthermore, Billie Jean King called Federer the ‘GOAT’ on her social media page