Australian Open: Rafael Nadal - The most unlikely win of all
Rafael Nadal won his 21st Grand Slam trophy on Sunday - surprising the entire tennis world.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jan 30, 2022, 08:25 pm
Ever since he first won the French Open at the age of 19 as a hands-on debutant, Rafael Nada l has repeatedly rewritten the tennis history books and pulverized best performances. He made Roland Garros his red paradise, he won all Grand Slam tournaments, he became the greatest player of the golden age of his sport alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Superlatives are quickly and reliably found with Nadal, the indestructible gladiator of the Center Courts - but still: The legendary Mallorquin celebrated his greatest and most improbable victory, his most impressive comeback ever in more than one and a half decades in the traveling circus on the memorable final night of the Australian Open Championships 2022.
When he managed an incredible act of unleashing after five hours and 24 hours and turned an almost hopeless 0: 2 set deficit against Daniil Medvedev (Russia) into a 2: 6, 6: 7, 6: 4, 6: 4, 7: 5 marathon triumph, Nadal was suddenly the sole leader in the fascinating battle for Grand Slam records. But beyond the impressive numbers - Nadal now with 21 wins, followed by Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with 20 - there was a title mission in Melbourne that was second to none, also and especially again in the last Center Court duel. "I would have declared anyone crazy who would have told me that half a year ago," said Nadal on this extraordinary Australian Open night - the man who a few weeks ago had to ponder a career break because of his complicated foot injury.
Nadal: "One of the most emotional matches"
A wonder? A fairy tale? A mystery? witchcraft, sorcery? Somehow all together. What Nadal probably thought when he stood at the net after his daring catch-up race and, having just become Melbourne king for the second time, only grinned fleetingly out of sheer amazement. And then shook his head for a long time, as if he had to ask himself how all this could have happened. "I just did what has always made me strong: believe in myself every second," he said later, "it was one of the most emotional matches in my life."
He was already 2-0 sets behind against the tricky Muscovite Medvedev, and with a 2-3 deficit in the third act he had three breakballs against him at 0:40. But Nadal fended off the disaster in the parade role of the strong-willed fighter, he equalized to 3: 3, he won the third set, he won the fourth set. And he, the player ten years his senior, was suddenly the fresher, more determined, stronger-willed player in the fifth round - at least no trace of tiredness. He also overcame a brief moment of weakness: with a 5: 4 lead, he served for the first time to win the match and conceded a break. But immediately took the serve from Medvedev and crossed the finish line 7:5. For the first time in the modern tennis era, a final comeback after a 0:2 opening loss in Melbourne was perfect.
Up in the VIP box, Rod Laver, the namesake of Center Court, pulled out his smartphone and captured the historic scenes in the arena. Nadal, who got on his knees after the first surprise at this triumph and clenched his fists to the sky. Nadal, who received the trophy from the hands of former winner Jim Courier and happily presented it to the fans. Nadal blissfully along with his team around head coach Carlos Moya. This guy is a "phenomenon", said old master Laver, "he makes things possible that are impossible."
Grand finale
The Australian Open had started long before the first rallies with the tiresome affair about world number one Novak Djokovic. It was great drama, far away from Center Court. It was about visa issues, vaccinations, paragraphs, and finally entry or expulsion. But by the time the Grand Slam festivals were entering their final day, the sport had returned with a vengeance. With Nadal, that memorable champion risen from pain and sorrow. And also with Medvedev, the man who, despite his defeat, recommended himself as the future leader of the industry, in front of generation comrades like Zverev, Tsitsipas or Zverev. "It was a very, very strong performance by Medvedev. He not only played against Nadal, but practically the whole stadium," said Sweden's former world-class professional Mats Wilander.
At the US Open last fall, Medvedev even refined his role as a spoilsport with the surprising win against Djokovic. The "Djoker" was also facing historical feats at the time, before winning the calendar Grand Slam, before major title number 21. Nadal now has it. The next stop is Paris, in the spring. The second home of Nadal. The race goes on.
Here is the individual tableau at the Australian Open
laver arena