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Video of Roger Federer crying during trophy presentation ceremony.

Now, it would be really easy to list reasons why the Australian Open men’s final was so gay. Federer cried. Headlines like The Daily Beast’s “Nadal Tops Federer.” And it would be fun to Photoshop some pics of the two together in very gay and erotic poses. (Fun and hot.)

But the way the men’s final went down (see how things can get gay without even trying?), the way the two men playing each other (see?) conducted themselves demonstrated how to be a good, even great, gay person.

1) Nadal played the longest match in the history of the Australian Open just to get to the finals, just for the chance to win. He had to give it everything he had, put everything out there, use himself up completeley just for a chance.
This is a lesson in fighting hard, fighting for what you believe in, fighting for what you want, fighting for what you deserve. Remember when Prop 8 was going on, and most of the gay population was apathetic about it? One of the most important fights the gay population has ever faced, and we sat back. And by “we” I mean “me.” I live in New York, but I’m from California. My sister, who is straight, did more to oppose Prop 8 than I did.

2) After playing more than 5 hours in the semi-final, Nadal had 30 hours to recover. After getting to sleep at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, Nadal woke at 1 p.m., practiced lightly that afternoon, and then again Sunday right before the final.
After winning, Nadal said, “I was having a bit of trouble practicing. I felt a little lightheaded when I practiced yesterday and today. I was pretty concerned, not being sure whether I could be at my best.” Nadal had never won a hard court major title and had a lot to prove against a better rested, better-prepared Federer, who was himself trying to make history by winning his 14th Grand Slam title. But Nadal showed up. That’s it. Not sure how long he would last, he showed up for battle. And won. We’re in for a big civil rights fight right now, and we took a big blow a few months ago. And you know what? We’re showing up.

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3) How did Nadal win? Nadal actually had one fewer total points than Federer (173-174). How did he do it?
Nadal knew he had limited resources, but he knew where to focus his attention, and he knew where to spend his energy — on the most important points. This is one of the bigger lessons I took away from the match. You can win the game, but lose the match. We’re fighting against a bigger opponent, but we are right to fight, and we need to know where exactly to take that fight.

4) In winning, Nadal demonstrated grace and humility.
During the trophy presentation, Nadal said, “Roger, sorry for today. I really know how you feel right now.” After the match, he said of Federer’s breakdown, “Of course it can happen to all of us. It was an emotional moment, and I think this also lifts up sport, to see a great champion like Federer expressing his emotions. It shows his human side.” Now, Federer is most certainly not a bad guy, but in this case, he was an opponent of Nadal’s, and Nadal managed the opposition remarkably well. One of the things that gets lost is that we forget that the other side is, more often than not, comprised of good people, of humans who, for whatever reason, believe in something that is dangerous and hurtful. But human still.

This great match didn’t have the overwhelming drama of last year’s Wimbledon final between these same two men, but it did offer an insight into how it’s possible to comport oneself that I wouldn’t have felt if I hadn’t watched it. What to do when you’re in for the fight of your life, for your life? See numbers 1-4. They’re very gay.