A day after 35 year old Serena Williams beat her sister to win a record setting 23rd Grand Slam, 35 year old Roger Federer did the same.

Federer beat long time nemesis Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final, prevailing in a thrilling five set tie to win a record 18th Grand Slam, and his first in five years since winning the British Open in 2012.

At 35 and 30 years of age respectively, Roger and Rafa represent more of the old guard of tennis, and the pair reignited their over a decade old rivalry that at its peak was one of the best the sport had ever witnessed.

Nadal has the clear advantage over the Swiss in head to head clashes, but Federer was simply too determined to end a five year Grand Slam drought.

The pair alternated in dominating play, Roger dominating the first and third sets which he won, but Nadal fighting back each time to dominate the second and fourth sets to draw level each time.

But despite breaking on Federer’s first game in the final set, the veteran Swiss rallied to break back and take the lead, finally crossing the line after so many Slam final heatbreaks in recent years.

Federer, arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, moves to 18 slam wins with this victory, four more than Nadal and former record holder Pete Sampras.