Federer fans know the frustration of watching him play over the past four years. It seemed like the talent, quickness guile to win was all still there. What seemed to be missing was on the mental side. The belief was gone.

Time and time again in majors he would falter at the crucial moments. Double faults at deuce or shanking his forehand on break points. The very same type of points on which Federer gained his reputation for ruthless efficiency, had become his weakness.

For those reasons Federer fans could have been forgiven for thinking ‘here we go again’ as a relentless Rafael Nadal forced a fifth set in the Australian Open final. Their worst fears were quickly confirmed when Federer got down early in his first service game and gave up the break on a forehand error.

I started to console myself. ‘Well at least it was a good final. No shame in losing to Rafa. Maybe he’ll have a chance at Wimbledon.’

As the set went on Federer created numerous chances to break back. Those chances were playing to a familiar script, he just can’t make it happen on the big points anymore. As John McEnroe points out during the ESPN broadcast Federer will have to break twice if he’s going to win. It really doesn’t look good.

On the back of a couple of uncharacteristic errors from Nadal and some clutch shots from the Federer he manages to claw back a break. We’re back on serve. Perhaps some hope?

His next service game was vintage Federer. Aggressive. Two aces. He holds at love. Was the belief back? He sprints out to a 0-40 lead on Nadal’s service game but fails to capitalize on any of them. Deuce. Oh boy. How will he handle the mental stress of knowing he could already be serving for the championship? Even the most optimistic fans could not have thought they would get the answer.

Two more points and we’re back at deuce. The two get into a long baseline rally. The type Federer seems to inevitably lose to his arch-rival. I’m expecting a miss on every shot, one forced half by the pressure from Rafa and half by the moment. What comes instead is an incredible forehand winner down the line, at full stretch.

By now it was clear, the belief was back and it was defiant. Shortly thereafter he was hoisting the trophy. The belief, and the nearly unstoppable game that goes with it, came back at the most crucial time and for just long enough.

On Sunday night we witnessed what makes tennis so beautiful. It is simply breathtaking to watch an athlete swell with confidence before your eyes. Watching that confidence expressed through the sublime shot making that defines the best tennis player of all time was nothing short of surreal.