Rafa Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in a classic Australian Open final on Sunday, rallying from two sets to claim a record 21 Grand Slam titles, just months after fearing his glorious career could be ended by injury.
With Novak Djokovic thrown out by deportation and Roger Federer recovering from knee surgery, the Spaniard now holds a major title advantage over his big rivals, after surviving all five sets 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4. 6-4 7-5, in a game of nerves at the Rod Laver Arena.
Riding the wave of the crowd’s raucous support, an established Nadal put on one of his best performances to deny Medvedev victory again, less than three years after breaking the Russian’s heart in five sets in the Open final. of the United States in 2019.
In a dramatic situation, Nadal was two points from the title when he lost the match at 5-4. The Mallorcan stood his ground to break Medvedev again and served the match loveless, rushing to hit a backhand ball in an impressive knockout.
Nadal dropped his racket, shook his head and smiled, then kicked a tennis ball and raised his fists in delight.
It was a triumph that defied time and logic: the 35-year-old completed a five-set victory from a two-set deficit for the first time in 15 years, since he outpointed Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2007.
“For me it’s incredible. A month and a half ago I didn’t know if I could play tennis again and today I’m in front of you with the trophy. Thank you very much for the support,” said a sincere Nadal to the media. “It’s one of the most exciting moments of my career. I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life,” he added.
Having suffered four final defeats in 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2019, Nadal can now savor a second crown at Melbourne Park, 13 years after beating Federer in the decider in 2009.
The mane and shorts of that decade are long forgotten, but the class and fighting spirit endure in the face of Nadal’s titanic battles to recover from injuries.
Having missed Wimbledon due to fatigue and the US Open due to a chronic left foot condition, Nadal came close to quitting at the end of 2021 and felt blessed just to turn up at Melbourne Park this year.
His ability to play seven matches seemed miraculous to the Spaniard, who joins Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson as the only men to have won each Grand Slam title twice.
Now more than ever, world number one Djokovic can mourn his failed attempt to defend his title in Melbourne without taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
His deportation threw the tournament wide open, leaving a void for Nadal to fill and deliver a potentially decisive blow to the Grand Slam race.
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