The Australian Open final match-ups between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles, as well as Serena and Venus Williams in the women’s would not have been predicted by many prior to the first Grand Slam of the season. The last time the quartet all appeared in the finals of the same Grand Slam came back in Wimbledon 2008.

This weekend’s meetings were welcomed by huge hordes of tennis fans, as it seems to have provided one last chance to watch the old rivalries, which have provided so much entertainment, before the players bow out of the game. Particularly, given the injury troubles suffered by both Federer and Nadal in recent years. Rather than ending their careers on a high, it had seemed the duo would, almost literally, be heading out of the game with a limp.

I have lost count of the number of times since his last Grand Slam title in 2012 that Federer’s chance of winning another major crown had come to an end. A shock five-set defeat to Latvia’s Ernest Gublis at the 2014 French Open had seemed to signal at the top level, Fed was dead, and the Swiss star would not secure further Grand Slam titles. Especially when you add in the recent knee surgeries. But not so.

Arguably, the appearances of Nadal and Venus Williams in the Australian Open finals, were even more surprisingly with the pair having suffered serious injuries over recent years. Knee and wrist injuries for Nadal, as well as serious illness for Venus.

“We never thought that we had the chance to be, again, in a final, and especially in the first of the year,” Nadal said earlier this week, reflecting on being with Federer when they were both injured last year.

“Both of us I think worked very hard to be where we are.

“Is great that, again, we are in a moment like this and we going to have a chance again to enjoy a moment like this.”

Tennis’ Golden Oldies has provoked some thought in insidethegames HQ, about other cases in which sportsmen who appeared to be on the decline, have enjoyed an Indian Summer.

Understandably, Muhammad Ali's victory over George Foreman during the Rumble in the Jungle was mentioned early, with Harry Carpenter’s exclamation: “Oh my God, he's won the title back at 32.”

Boxing is one sport in particular where these comebacks seem to be more commonplace, with Foreman himself staging a comeback to successful claim the heavyweight title at the age of 45, back in 1994.

One of the most memorable moment of the London 2012 Olympic Games came in the men’s 400 metres hurdles, when in the twilight of his career, Felix Sanchez claimed gold. At the age of 34, the Dominican Republic athlete produced his fastest run for eight years to triumph.

While his victory in the same event at Athens 2004 was his country’s first Olympic title, the success in London, coincidentally in the same 47.63sec, stood out. The unexpected triumph and his subsequent tears on the podium proved to be one of the images of the Games.

Similarly, Rio 2016 saw American swimmer Anthony Ervin emerge as the winner of the men’s 50 metres freestyle gold. Coming 16-years after he previously triumphed in the blue ribboned event on swimming’s programme, it was a result that not many could have predicted. Particularly when you consider that Ervin had taken a break from the sport between 2003 and 2011, before coming fifth at the Olympics the following year.

The unpredictable nature of these achievements make it easier for us to become invested in the story, while perhaps the athletes’ themselves are more emotional, due to the awareness their careers are drawing to a close.

While he would clearly have been thrilled by each of his previous Grand Slam successes, it would be entirely understandable for Federer to have greater affection for his 18th Grand Slam title, as he is likely to be all too aware this might be his last. For Nadal, as well, he could be forgiven for believing that his last chance of securing an 15th major title to his glittering career.

In many cases, it seems the unexpected successes at the end of athletes’ careers are often more fondly remembered by the public than when they were at their peak. Although, a heartbreaking near miss also provokes some nostalgia.

In golf, Tom Watson’s runner-up finish at the 2009 Open Championships would be one such occasion to stand out. Then aged 59, he could have become the oldest major champion in history during regulation play. He ultimately came up short in a playoff against Stewart Cink to miss out on a sixth major of his career, but the trials and tribulations of the event drew in a audiences.

Perhaps it will be golf which will again provide another one of the stories of a great champion, who rolls back the years. Tiger Woods anyone?