The Swiss, playing his first Grand Slam final, won 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

While Wawrinka played exemplary tennis for much of the match, it was an injury for his Spanish opponent that dominated proceedings.

Nadal, the number one seed, appeared to injure his back in the third game of the second set.

He went off court for treatment, which angered Wawrinka, who demanded the umpire tell him what was wrong with Nadal.

The match resumed with Nadal gingerly making his way around the court, and unable to use his power to push Wawrinka onto the ropes.

After getting more treatment between games, his back problems appeared to ease in the third set, so much so that he won it 6-3 to get himself back in the encounter.

Rafael Nadal stretches his back during the final of the Australian Open ©AFP/Getty Images



But Wawrinka, who arguably let his form slip as attention focussed firmly on Nadal's back problems, shifted up a gear in the fourth set as the eighth seed sealed a maiden Grand Slam triumph.

The win has made him the first male player to win a Grand Slam having beaten the top two seeds in the draw since 1993.

He caused a major upset with victory over Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, in their quarter-final.

A tearful Nadal told the crowd on Rod Laver Arena after the match: "It's been an emotional two weeks. I'm sorry to finish this way, I tried very hard."

Victor Wawrinka, who will move up to number three in the world after his historic win, said: "I still think that I'm dreaming.

"It's a strange feeling. I saw so many finals.

"I always try to watch the finals of Grand Slams because that's where the best players are playing.

"Before today, for me it wasn't a dream. I never expected to play a final. I never expected to win a Grand Slam. And right now I just did it."