Nadal maintains momentum

The arguments against the Australian Open have been in place for some time. Among others, it's said it falls too early in the calendar for a Grand Slam - which is why there have been more surprise winners here than the other three slams - and because of the Australian climate the conditions are almost impossible for the players to produce their best tennis. Certainly the second of these is true of this year's event. A lot of withdrawals mid-match did detract from the tennis and serious consideration must surely be given to putting the tournament back a couple of weeks when temperatures won't be in the mid 40s.

In the build up a lot had been made in the press, and with bookmakers, on Andy Murray's chances at Melbourne Park after he beat both Federer and Nadal at an exhibition event the week before. I'm not sure I ever agreed, it's all very well doing it in minor tournaments or exhibitions but a Grand Slam is very different. Seven matches over two weeks are required with real mental toughness and I'm not quite sure Murray has that yet. What truly inspires Nadal and Federer to greatness is the pressure of the big occasion, which the Scot doesn't have yet. It's all that he is lacking to make that final step to winning his coveted first slam.

The most significant final in years

I thought Federer losing the Wimbledon final to Nadal last year would be a huge blow and one the Swiss would struggle to recover from only for him to win the US Open at Flushing Meadows two months later. Yet his five-set loss to the Spaniard in Melbourne almost seems to have broken him, a clearly emotional Federer broke down in tears upon accepting his runners-up plate.

He has now lost the air of superiority he had over the rest of the tour - and even Nadal at one point - and it seems that he doesn't believe he can beat the Spaniard any more over five sets. That Nadal had been taken the distance by Fernando Verdasco, Andy Murray's conqueror, in the semi-final and was visibly tired in the third set meant Federer knew he should win but just couldn't do it.

What now for Federer?

Although it's unfair to read too much into Federer's emotional speech, it shows how frail he is mentally at the moment. To have a microphone thrust in front of you five minutes after finishing an intense battle with the best player in the world and not let the situation affect you is asking a little too much, even for someone as media savvy as Federer.

A full-time coach must now be a priority, if only to formulate a battle plan when the Swiss takes on his tormentor-in-chief and someone to bounce ideas off instead of relying on his natural talent. Nadal has taken over as world number one because he has that thanks to his coach, and uncle, Toni who comes up with the plan for each match.

Undoubtedly Federer can get back to the top, but to do so a coach is essential, as it seems is equalling the all-time Grand Slam record which he's wearing like a millstone around his neck.