When his signature drop shot was out of Daniel Medvedev’s reach, when the Australian Open final was over after 5 hours, 24 minutes of spills and thrills mentally, physically, and externally due to fan controversy, and he somehow completed a comeback from two sets down, 21-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal dropped his Orange racket to the court, covered his face with his taped-up fingers in his purple shirt and headband, then shook his head and smiled, shook hands at the net and then collapsed in the middle of court completely elated… he had done it.
Searching for a spark plug, when he was down two sets and 0-40, knowing he’d yet to climb that mountain in his career and with his prospects of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title a pipe dream, Rafael Nadal dug deep into his failed Melbourne park past. He summoned all the fight he had left in him before ripping off the following four points to survive the defying threat from Daniil Medvedev to repeat what he did to Djokovic at the 2021 US open and take out yet another legend in straight sets for his second consecutive slam.
Rafa rallied and held for 3-3 in the third set, which eventually reversed the course of this Australian open final.
Almost Three and a half hours later, Nadal netted a record-breaking grand slam NO21 after his exhilarating 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 comeback win that lasted 5 hours and 24 minutes and finished at 1:15 AM on “Melbourne Monday.”
The 35-year-old Spaniard now has one more major title than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, his long-time rivals in the “Golden age” of Men's Tennis.
He was the only one of three who had a chance to claim history in Australia this year. Federer is still recovering from knee surgery, and Djokovic was controversially deported from Australia on the eve of the slam due to his unvaccinated status.
But both rivals each got a chance to eclipse this milestone before Sunday. However, Federer lost to Djokovic in the 2019 Wimbledon final some dub the “Best match ever,” Djokovic stunningly lost to Medvedev in the 2021 U.S. Open final while also going for the calendar slam.
It’s all a footnote compared to what Nadal overcame to be in this match. A month and a half ago, Rafa was still in rehabilitation from his season-ending knee injury at the 2020 French Open and had also contracted Covid-19.
But he battled through it, won the Melbourne Summerset tournament before the open, and despite being worn down physically, found the spirit to win it.
This marks an Australian Open title for Rafa and the first since 2009, joining Novak as the only man to win each slam twice, as Federer had only won the French Open once.
“I was repeating to myself during the whole match, ‘I lost a lot of times here having chances, sometimes I was a little bit unlucky,’” Nadal said. “I just wanted to keep believing until the end.”
His “chances” in the past included heartbreaking five-set losses in 2012 to Novak Djokovic after 5 hours 53 minutes, and in 2017, he was up a break and lost a classic fifth set to Rodger Federer in Melbourne.
After using brilliant and otherworldly netplay to escape the fourth set with an identical 6-4 win as the third, Nadal was on the heap of returning the break when serving at 3-2 in the fifth, but he staged off three break points for a 4-2 lead.
Serving for Tennis history, at 5-4 in the fifth set, Rafa let a 30-0 lead slip, double-faulted, and then shanked a ball into the net, giving Danil the momentum once again. But Rafa, ever undeterred, broke back before finally sealing the deal, set off a “GOAT” coronation across the sports world.
Federer and Djokovic were watching the final from a distance, and both used social media messages to offer congratulations to Nadal for breaking their three-way tie atop the men’s Grand Slam standings.
“Congratulations to Rafael Nadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time. Enhorabuena 👏🏆👍 Danil Medvedev gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him.” Said Djokovic.
“To my friend and great rival, Rafael Nadal, congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 grand slam singles titles. A few months ago, we were joking about both being on crutches. Never underestimate a great champion. Your incredible work ethic, dedication, and fighting spirit inspire me and countless others worldwide. I’m honored to share this era with you and play a role in pushing you towards great achievements, just as you have done to me the last 18 years. I’m sure you have more achievements on the way, but enjoy this one.” Federer said.
In an 84-minute second set, a human rights activist protesting the country’s vaccine rules jumped onto the court, delaying the match further. Nadal blew a 5-3 lead in the set and then did it again in the tiebreaker, falling behind two sets to none before regrouping in his restroom break.
“Tactically, nothing changed,” Medvedev added, “but Rafa stepped up.”
Yes, he did, as at 1:30 a.m., he delivered his first words as king of tennis.
“Good evening. No, good morning!” Nadal joked, looking at his match watch.
Nadal’s 21st major title was even more remarkable considering he had never rallied down two sets and won in his career.
“I thought this would be my last Australian open, but this victory gives me the energy to keep on going.” Said the champ.
Medvedev called Rafa’s comeback “insane,” saying something everyone could agree on.. where does that Warrior-like spirit come from, if he didn’t have it, Rafael Nadal currently wouldn’t be the king of the court.
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