In addition to all of the history and thrills in Sunday's epic final, it has been an incredible two weeks of tennis Down Under. The 35-year-old has now won all four major titles twice, something only Djokovic had previously accomplished in the Open era. It was also just the sixth time anyone had completed such a comeback in any Slam final. Nadal's remarkable, record-shattering 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 triumph saw him become the first player since 1965 to come from two sets down to win an Australian Open final. Congrats, it was unbelievable," Medvedev said of Nadal after the match. "It's really hard to speak after losing in five and a half hours you're an amazing champion. Today, being in front of all of you with this trophy in front of me, I can't thank you enough for all of the love and support." Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the 2022 Australian Open. It has been one of the most emotional matches and moments of my tennis career," Nadal said Sunday. What a final 🔥🎾 !!- Stanislas Wawrinka January 30, 2022 He was a two-time Australian Open champion and had moved ahead of long-time rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with that elusive 21st Slam. Three hours later, and with the match clock beaming 5:24 - the second-longest Slam final in history - Nadal dropped his racket, fell to his knees and let the emotion pour out, as a chorus of cheers rained down from the packed grandstands. Nadal saved all three break points, and a fourth, for good measure, before holding serve to stay level in the third set.
But you don't put yourself in your sport's greatest-of-all-time discussion without a great deal of resilience. After all, just six weeks earlier, Nadal was wondering whether he would ever play tennis again. You could have easily forgiven Nadal for waving the white flag and falling gallantly in three sets to a man who has won more matches on hard courts than anyone else over the past three years. Meanwhile, on the other side of the net, Daniil Medvedev was doing what Daniil Medvedev does - returning every single ball, from all corners of the court.
The Spaniard had given everything in the first two frames but fell agonizingly short on both occasions. MELBOURNE, Australia - Rafael Nadal has achieved many astonishing feats on a tennis court, but none more so than what took place on Rod Laver Arena in Sunday's breathtaking Australian Open final.ĭown two sets to love and facing three break points early in the third set, Nadal's quest for a second title at Melbourne Park, and a men's record 21st major, had all but gone up in smoke.
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