Roger Federer feared he'd blown his chance to land a magical 20th grand slam crown when he "couldn't stop the bleeding" during a stunning mid-match collapse in Sunday night's Australian Open final.
From a commanding position two sets to one and a service break up in the fourth, Federer dropped five of the next six games to allow Marin Cilic the opportunity to steal the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup from under his nose.
The Swiss ace eventually regained his composure to thwart the Croat's comeback and claim a record-equalling sixth Open title with a tension-filled 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 triumph on Rod Laver Arena.
"I had my chance and Marin played well and at the end of the second I got nervous and that is the reason I lost the second set. I couldn't take control of the match," Federer said.
"It got tight and Marin held me out in the third and the fifth. I got lucky tonight.
"I couldn't stop the bleeding almost. It was terrible. It was a bad feeling to have.
"He was in control. He was the one calling the shots all of a sudden."
Federer said his "mind was all over the place" in the fourth set.
"I was telling myself: 'I'm so close right now. Don't mess it up.' That is exactly actually when you mess it up. It is crazy.
"I am happy that I got a chance in the fifth set and I got lucky in the beginning of the fifth."
In a huge turning point, Federer staved off two break points in the first game of the deciding set, before running away with the match.
"He was feeling it he had the second serves on the break point. I personally I don't come back if he breaks me first," Federer said.
Federer broke down during the trophy ceremony before revealing it was pure relief, rather than tears of joy, that triggered the outpouring.
"This one here tonight reminded me more of maybe 2006 win when I beat (Marcos) Baghdatis in the finals. I had a great run to the finals and a huge favourite going in," he said.
"I kept my composure and made the finals. I was just so relieved when everything was said and done, I think I felt the same way tonight.
"That is why I couldn't speak. It was terrible."
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