Federer to Nadal: 'I would have been happy to lose' Aussie final to you

There was much mutual respect following the Australian Open final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with both players commending each other for better-than-expected comebacks from their respective injuries.

Nadal missed chunks of last season with an injured wrist and Federer was sidelined during the second half of the year with an injured knee.

''Just amazing, the way he's playing after such a long time without him being on the tour,'' Nadal said of Federer. ''It's just very difficult to make that happen.''

The 14-time major winner said he's also pleased with his play in Australia, saying he's ''back at a very high level.''

''I'm going to keep fighting during the whole season and for sure, to come back here for many years and keep trying to have this trophy,'' Nadal said. ''That is the third time that I have (the runner-up trophy). This is beautiful but still much better the trophy.''

Federer was also impressed by Nadal's return from injury, saying he would have been content if the Spaniard had gotten the victory, too.

''I would have been happy to lose too, to be honest,'' he said. ''Tennis is a tough sport, there's no draws. If there was going to be one, I would have been happy to have it tonight and share it with Rafa, really.''