Rafael Nadal became the first player in men’s tennis history to win 21 Grand Slam championships as he beat Daniil Medvedev to win the Australian Open 2022 trophy. Nadal is famous for his performance on clay courts. Not many gave him a chance against Medvedev because the Russian was in red-hot form.
On top of that, Medvedev won the previous hard-court Grand Slam championship as he seized the US Open title by defeating world number 1 Novak Djokovic. Still, Rafael Nadal overcame all odds and captured the title.
The match started in the favor of Daniil Medvedev. The Russian player easily won the first set by 6-2 and then took the second set 7-6 by winning the tiebreaker. It looked like formalities in the third set. However, Nadal scripted the mother of all comebacks to win his 21st Australian Open crown.
He won the third set by 6-4, the fourth set by 6-4 and the decider set by 7-5 to become the first Grand Slam champion of the new year. This performance has received appreciation from all parts of the world.
Just before the big match, Nadal had commented: “I feel alive in terms of my tennis life, of my tennis career and I am super happy to be again in the final of the Australian Open. I’m happy that I’m gonna have a chance.”
Rafael Nadal is now ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the all-time list
When the year 2022 began, The Big 3 of the Tennis – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all had 20 Grand Slam titles each. Djokovic had a chance to win his 21st at the US Open last year, but he lost to Medvedev. After that, he reached Australia for the Australian Open. However, he was deported due to off-court reasons.
Here’s how Twitter reacted after Rafael became the most successful Grand Slam winner in men’s tennis.
That is absolutely magnificent. Stunning to say the least.
From 2 sets down to come back and win your 21st Grand Slam is incredible.
AdvertisementCongratulations @RafaelNadal!#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VHjjlb4GFN
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 30, 2022
Unbelievable that from Nadal..at that stage of career and after injuries..5+ hours on court. Mother of all comebacks. 21 slams. Legend. 👏👏 #AO2022
— Jase Ives 💙🐝🐝 (@JaseIves) January 30, 2022
Rafael Nadal stands alone at the top! pic.twitter.com/9mXQCkvjOj
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 30, 2022
Rafael Nadal. That’s the tweet.
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) January 30, 2022
NEVER count him out‼️
Nadal takes the fourth set over Medvedev, 6-4.
🏆 #AO2022 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Kb1Amy5fAJ
Advertisement— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) January 30, 2022
🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal adds a second #AusOpen title to his resume #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/ChkOR5oqFB
Advertisement— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022
Another chapter is written 🏆@RafaelNadal defeats Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 to win his second #AusOpen title in an epic lasting five hours and 24 minutes.
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🎥: @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/OlMvhlGe6rAdvertisement— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022
Historic moment, a fighter, one and only Rafael Nadal – 21st Grand Slam – GOAT.pic.twitter.com/PyoCctAJ7z
Advertisement— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 30, 2022
Rafa Nadal right now 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3iuEHs2o3k
Advertisement— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 30, 2022
Wow. Congrats @RafaelNadal ! An absolute pleasure to watch
Advertisement— andyroddick (@andyroddick) January 30, 2022
What a final 🔥🎾@AustralianOpen @DaniilMedwed @RafaelNadal !!
Advertisement— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 30, 2022
👏 Congratulations! 2️⃣1️⃣
👊 VAMOS, @RafaelNadal! 👊 #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/fQ5LL0ItMnAdvertisement— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 30, 2022
The historic moment! Rafael Nadal winning his 21st Grand Slam Title. What a game they both put on. #AO2022 #AustralianOpen. pic.twitter.com/a4MnQbAmSQ
Advertisement— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 30, 2022
