Who is Roger Federer?

When Roger Federer came back from the dead to level 2-2 in a marathon Australian Open semifinal against Andy Murray in Melbourne on Friday night, Mrs Mirka Federer clenched her fist with joy and anticipation. She believed her world No. 2 husband still had the ability to outslug an opponent, six years younger. But Murray denied Federer his 25th Grand Slam final.  

Roger Federer has appeared in 24 men's Grand Slam finals, ten on them on-the-trot. He also appeared in 18 of 19 finals from the 2005 Wimbledon Championships through to the 2010 Australian Open.

After the 2012 Wimbledon singles final where Andy Murray had succumbed to a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Roger Federer, all the Britain number 1 could manage was 'getting closer' to the top 3 in tennis - Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. Friday night, the script changed as Murray made Federer work for every point throughout the match and despite getting broken while serving for the match in the fourth set and losing the tiebreaker, Murray continued to strike the ball as well as he did in the first set while Federer's fitness failed him.

"I'm getting closer," were the only words Murray could utter before his emotions overcame him in front of home fans at Wimbledon. Federer, who then returned to top ranking and also became the joint-topper in the overall list of Wimbledon men's singles title winners, said that he "genuinely believed" Murray would win more than one Grand Slam title.

"I see what he goes through on a daily basis and he handles it perfectly. I really do believe deep down that he will win Grand Slams and not just one," Federer had then said.

Cut to January 25, 2013, not only had Federer's prediction came right with Murray winning the 2012 US Open but he was also dumped out of the 2013 Australian Open by his 'new nemesis'. Murray dumped Federer out 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-2 in exactly four hours at the Rod Laver Arena to set up a title clash with world no.1 Novak Djokovic.

Born in Arlesheim near Basel, Switzerland on August 8 1981, Federer owns a record 17 Grand Slam titles. His last Grand Slam title was the 2010 Australian Open. Last night, he broke the longest Grand Slam drought - that of two and a half years.

In April 2009, Federer married his longtime girlfriend and former tennis player Mirka Vavrinec, who he met while competing for Switzerland in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. They made tennis' first couple and were later blessed with twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ROGER FEDERER

Turned pro: 1998

Coach: Paul Annacone

Career singles titles: 76

Grand Slam singles titles: 17 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012; US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Career prize money: $76,014,777

Best Australian Open result: Champion (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010)