The changing of the guard has to wait: Rafael Nadal triumphs in an epic finale
RafaelNadal's epic victory at the US Open over Daniil Medvedev has shown that the time of the big three is not over yet, but the changing of the guard is getting closer.
by SID
last edit: Sep 09, 2019, 12:09 pm
When a compilation of his now 19 Grand Slam victories flickered on the video screens of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, even the otherwise controlled Rafael Nadal overwhelmed the feelings. Tears rolled down the struggling Matador's cheeks, sobbing, burying his face in his hands as "Rafa, Rafa" chants echoed through the mighty arena. The pressure of the almost five-hour final battle at the US Open at that moment fell away from the crying superstar.
"This is one of the most emotional nights of my tennis career," the Spaniard said afterwards, still with wet eyes: "I usually try to hold back these emotions, but at that moment it was impossible."
"What would they have shown if I had won?"
Completely exhausted, Nadal had previously flopped onto the court of the largest tennis arena in the world, all fours stretched after he beat the almost indomitable Russian Daniil Medvedev in epic 4:50 hours with 7: 5, 6: 3, 5: 7, 4: 6, 6: 4 had fought down. The heroes of the night then fell into each other's arms like two boxers after a ruthless exchange of blows. Nadal had won his 19th Grand Slam title, the fourth in New York, but both were winners.
"He told me that I am an incredible player. So I replied that he was also an incredible player," said Medvedev, grinning, already joking towards Nadal at the award ceremony: "As number one on the screen , Number two, number 19 appeared, I asked myself: What would they have shown if I had won? "
This spectacular endgame alone would have provided enough material. Everything had indicated a clear victory for the big favorite, with two sets and break, Nadal was already in front. But Medvedev never got up, like two flawless ball machines, the two opponents drove across the field, did not lose a ball and tore the spectators from their seats. "I just had to keep my heart on the pitch, for them too," said Medvedev.
Nadal praises: "Great future ahead"
Despite his comeback, the 23-year-old was unable to break the dominance of "Big Three" Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Since Stan Wawrinka triumphed in New York in 2016, all twelve major titles have gone to the trio of superstars, and since 2004 there have been an incredible 54 out of 64 possible. But the courageous Medvedev was the first player of the so-called next generation, to which Alexander Zverev is one, to show that the changing of the guard no longer has to be far away.
"He has a great future ahead of him and will definitely win some Grand Slam tournaments," said Nadal of the Russian, who climbed to fourth place in the world rankings after the title in Cincinnati and the final defeats in Washington, Montreal and now New York . But the big three are still up front.
"We are already fighting as well as we can to make the transition," said Medvedev. However, he noted, "It's really tough because these guys are playing incredible tennis." Nadal is now only one Grand Slam title away from Federer's record of 20 major victories, Djokovic has 16. But Nadal's drive is not the chase for the record.
"Of course I would like to be the one who won the most titles, but I don't play tennis for that," said the 33-year-old: "I do it because I love tennis."