The first major of the year is over and it is the unassuming Swiss, Stanislas Wawrinka, who makes the biggest statement of the year so far by muscling in on the top four. His opponent was, admittedly, lame but the world number eight played boldly in the opening set and a half and although Nadal's injury startled him, he came through to prove that he belongs on stages such as these. Thanks, as ever, for your company during the last fortnight. Until next time...

Image source, AP

"This is not the moment to talk about the back," Nadal says during his press conference. "This is Stan's day not my day. I'm disappointed. Sad about what happened. A tough one"

BBC Radio 5 live

Pete Sampras on Wawrinka breaking into the top four: "I would say Stan is in the mix. I'm not sure he's quite up there with Rafa or Novak [Djokovic] yet as they have been winning majors for years, but now he is over the hurdle of winning a Grand Slam, if he keeps it up, he'll be up in that category and deservedly so. He has got to deal with the pressure of being a Grand Slam champion now, but he's been around long enough."

BBC Radio 5 live

Pete Sampras, 14-time Grand Slam champion: "I thought Stan was great. I felt like he was moving well, he wasn't nervous and I thought he was pretty relaxed. He had a great rhythm and was hitting his backhand smooth. He was outplaying Nadal and was up a set and a break when the back thing came up."

Andrew Castle
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live

"I found it intriguing that Wawrinka came out, having never won a single set in 12 matches, and played so well in the first set. I hope people remember he outplayed Rafa in the first set. I can only assume it was a back spasm rather than any ribs dislodging, but it certainly affected things. I didn't think Wawrinka had it in him, to beat Djokovic, Berdych and then Nadal to win a Grand Slam, but he did. Despite the injury, I think he would have perhaps gone on to win anyway."

Australian Open:, external Nadal: "He's playing unbelievable to win that title. I'm very happy for him. He is a great friend of mine."

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"Magnus [Norman] has done a fantastic job with Stan, he toughened him up. Stan has got the game and he's working hard but Magnus has got him fit and got him to believe that he can beat these top players.

"When he played Djokovic here last year and narrowly lost, he realised he was so close. So he went to Magnus to get that little bit fitter and the belief started coming. It's great to see someone as talented as Stan - and is really nice as well - do well. There are lots of very happy people out there. It's a great story. In spite of the injury, the match has got a happy ending."

Image source, Reuters

Rafael Nadal is apparently crying in the press conference and says he felt a tweak in his back during the warm up. "I tried to finish the match for the crowd, for the opponent and for me," he says.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"Rafa could have easily walked off court but he didn't and it added to the match. I was impressed at how Wawrinka had the mental capacity to finish off the match. For a while it looked like he was getting nervous, tired, missing easy shots and screaming at his team. We have now found out how hard it is to beat an injured player, especially an injured Rafa. To beat a Rafa at 60% is not easy. It was a fantastic gutsy effort from both of them."

BBC Radio 5 live

Rafael Nadal's manager, Benito Perez-Barbadillo: "It will be tough for Rafa to recover but he will take defeat like he takes victory. He will sleep on it and then continue working. I'm very proud of him."

Image source, Getty Images

When will I become tired of throwing Wawrinka titbits into this live text? Never. At 28 years and 304 days, Wawrinka was the third oldest man to reach his first Australian Open final in the open era. Andres Gimeno lost his first Aussie Open final aged 31 years and 177 days back in 1969, while Petr Korda won his first title down under aged 30 years and nine days. That was in 1998.

Daniel Poole:, external Warrior @RafaelNadal oozes class as always. True respect for the game, himself and his opponent. Get well soon champ

Daryl Smallman:, external Is it just me or does Rafa still feel like the winner even though he has lost? The guy is pure class

Mike Fisher:, external Rafa and Stan humble and appreciative of the event, organisers, fans, and most especially eachother, says everything about them

John Lloyd
Former British number one on BBC Two

"I don't think the injury had anything to do with the early part of the match, he was just getting demolished. Wawrinka was just outplaying him in that first set. It was class. I've never seen winners like he was hitting."

John Lloyd
Former British number one on BBC Two

"The one scenario Wawrinka's team wouldn't have planned for was being 2-0 up with Nadal getting injured. How do you react to that? It took him a while to adjust. He was a bit hesitant watching what Rafa was doing. He lost concentration and Rafa almost came back. Credit to Wawrinka to come back to win the set in the way that he did."

Image source, Reuters

Here is what Wawrinka had to say during his speech: "I'm sorry for you, Rafa. You're a great friend and an amazing champion. It's always a pleasure to play against you. Well done on your comeback.

"Last year I had a crazy match, I lost it and I was crying a lot but in one year a lot has happened. Right now, I still don't know if I'm dreaming or not, but we'll see tomorrow morning.

"I would like to congratulate my team. Thank you Magnus [Norman], we've only been working for one year, and Seve. I'm really happy you are here tonight. We will try to enjoy tonight. Also thank you to my manager and parents and many friends who are here."

Wawrinka wraps it up by telling his wife and daughter that he will be home in a couple of days.

Nadal, hands hiding his face and possibly a few salty tears, departs to leave Wawrinka to pose alone for the photographers. The 28-year-old holds aloft the trophy and doesn't seem fazed in front of the blinding flashbulbs.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think the booing more than anything illustrates how frustrated people are with the medical timeout stuff.

"In this case it was clear that he was hurt and did what he had to do within the rules. What a performance from him to hang in there and win a set. We thought Rafa was going to give up.

"It may not have been the blockbuster of smashing winners and 9-9 in the final set but it had all the drama in the world. The relief from Stan to get there, I don't think he believes he has won."

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"What a tournament. All sorts of things happened. There have been more upsets on the women's side but who would have picked this.

"We know Stan can play. The unknown was his mental capacity. His confidence was growing which we have seen in the last year. He had to get past Djokovic, Berdych and Nadal, who was not going away very easily.

"He needed that belief and that has come in the past year or so.

"Nadal wasn't 100%. Wawrinka has the game and potential, we just didn't know if he had the killer instinct, but now he does."

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"The 'Happy Slam' got a bit testy there for a while in the second set, but well-being is the vibe now as Nadal gets a standing ovation for his efforts. "Número uno, Rafa!" cries a very Spanish voice, and when the man himself offers up a few more tears, there are few thousand lips wobbling in the stands. Wawrinka looks a bit shell-shocked by the whole evening but carries out his duties admirably, and opts against the Li Na approach with a few nice words for his "beautiful" wife and daughter."

Nadal is simply staring into the distance, hoping that he will soon be allowed to leave the stage. But the Spaniard does later manage to smile while chatting with Pete Sampras.