WATCH: How Federer-Nadal XXXV—Roger’s 18th Slam win—unfolded in Oz

First, some housekeeping: thank you to both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for continuing to put on an athletic show that runs like a Broadway classic. Sports can change in an instant, and certainly over the course of a season. But tennis has bucked that trend in this men’s era, which began in 2004, when Federer claimed his first Australian Open title. Two months later, in Miami, a 17-year-old Nadal announced his presence by defeating Federer in their first encounter.

Their match-ups ever since have run the gamut of descriptions: epic, deflating, suspenseful, high-wire. But we always come back for more—even with Nadal’s lopsided 23-11 record against Federer coming into this Australian Open, and with his time-honored tactics paying dividends more often than not.

We got something new in this latest installment. Federer “out-Rafa’ed Rafa,” as it was put by (I believe) John McEnroe on the ESPN broadcast. Essentially, Federer didn’t cave against Nadal at the exact moment when he typically has. His fifth-set rally from 3-1 down, after squandering so many break chances, was better than vintage Federer—it was unlike any past display of brilliance.

We should marvel at Federer’s ability to withstand the rigors of three five-set matches in the Australian sun over the course of this fortnight. The 35-year-old, after all, came into the event having not played a tour-level match since Wimbledon. But this final, more than anything, was the mental performance of Federer’s career. The only other comparables are his run to winning the elusive French Open title (with Nadal finally out of his way), or his blink-and-you’re-dead, 16-14 triumph in the fifth set over Andy Roddick in that same year’s Wimbledon final. But considering the stakes of the Roger-Rafa rivalry, and the opportunity presented at this age and at this tournament, this Federer win stands alone in its achievement.

And, thank you to the Australian Open YouTube channel for posting so many videos of this memorable match. Here it is, segmented from start to finish, with my notes:

It’s a shame that one of Federer’s best moments took place in one of his worst outfits. His warm-up jacket is sharp, though, and Nike’s pink accents continue onto Federer’s white racquet bag.

Federer never played from behind in this match, in terms of sets. Getting on the board first was reassurance that his more aggressive strategy against Nadal could work. Federer’s backhand, in particular, was a difference maker against the Spaniard, which has almost never been the case.

Some felt that Nadal looked gassed in this match, owing to his marathon semifinal victory over Grigor Dimitrov. But I never got that sense, and his pushback in the second set made it clear that Federer was in for a long haul.

Here’s a good example of Federer’s backhand at work—and an even better reply from Nadal. I couldn’t believe this one when it happened, or even 45 seconds later, once the GIF-masters of the internet had it available on social media.

The possibility of 17th-seeded Federer winning the title seemed a lot more real after he took a two-sets-to-one lead. By the way, how weird is it that when Pete Sampras won the U.S. Open late in his career, it was as the 17th seed? Sampras never played another match. (To my knowledge, Federer has not announced his retirement from the sport.)

The fourth set was peak Nadal. His forehands were like rapiers; his reflexes were at their indomitable best. When Nadal is in this kind of groove, he’s like a wall—still undefeated in tennis—but with a better forehand.

This incredible point takes place in the fifth set, after Federer had clawed his way out of a break-of-serve deficit. As good as Nadal’s winner was above, this point features about five individual shots that were superior to it, including Federer’s riposte. It was likely the point of the tournament, although it didn’t amount to much, for Nadal wiped Federer’s advantage away with a service winner on the very next shot.

Here’s the second championship point, which Federer wins. He lost the first by overhitting a forehand—which he only had the opportunity to do because a double-fault call was negated by a Hawk-Eye challenge. The replay system would rear its ugly head again here, making the correct call—which is the important thing)—but draining some of the drama. It was an awkward way to end a classic, but Federer, who for years denounced Hawk-Eye, didn’t seem to mind.

It’s good to be the king.