Rafael Nadal on Sunday achieved what no different male tennis participant has within the historical past of the game. The Spaniard, synonymous with greatness on clay court docket, grew to become the primary man to win 21 Grand Slam titles, reaching the milestone on the arduous court docket of the Rod Laver Enviornment in Melbourne as he outslugged Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, to win the Australian Open 2022 males’s singles title. Nadal, who has suffered a number of heartbreaks on this court docket, since profitable his solely Australian Open title earlier than right now, 13 years in the past in 2009, knew that he had a date with historical past and was in no temper to let this chance cross as he got here again from two units all the way down to beat Medvedev. His victory would have been sweeter, had it come together with his scourge and first adversary Novak Djokovic in fray for the title, however even essentially the most vocal Rafa-critics would agree Nadal has deserved this document for lengthy.
Nadal needed to dig deep into his reserves of stamina and psychological power to get the higher of Medvedev in a match which had all of the thrills of a classic Rafael Nadal five-setter.
From beginning out as a precocious younger expertise with unmatched power, and skill to outplay something that walked on a clay court docket, to turning into an all-court specialist who battled with the good Roger Federer shot for shot, Nadal has been destined for greatness since making a reputation for himself within the huge league.
The truth that he might beat Federer on all surfaces on the Swiss ace’s peak and obtain all that he has within the presence of an all-conquering Novak Djokovic is a testomony to his longevity, perseverance and talent. Let’s additionally not overlook the truth that Nadal has an Olympic gold medal in his kitty, one thing each Federer and Djokovic are but to realize.
This victory over Medvedev, nearly 10 years youthful, is mammoth in some ways. It reinforces the truth that Nadal can stand up from any setback, dropping to Djokovic on the French Open final 12 months being a significant one. It additionally units him up completely for the clay season the place he would hope to search out his ft once more and try to add one other main to his trophy cupboard.
Djokovic is youthful, fitter and appears hungry for lots extra nonetheless and it might imply Nadal won’t finish with essentially the most Grand Slam titles for a male tennis participant finally. However all of that debate and calculation is for later. Today belongs to the person from Mallorca as he sits fairly on the zenith of males’s tennis.
Full checklist of Grand Slam Finals performed by Rafael Nadal
Consequence 12 months Event Opponent Rating
Received 2005 French Open Mariano Puerta 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
Received 2006 French Open Roger Federer 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
Misplaced 2006 Wimbledon Roger Federer 0–6, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–2), 3–6
Received 2007 French Open Roger Federer 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Misplaced 2007 Wimbledon Roger Federer 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, 2–6
Received 2008 French Open Roger Federer 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
Received 2008 Wimbledon Roger Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7
Received 2009 Australian Open Roger Federer 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 3–6, 6–2
Received 2010 French Open Robin Soderling 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Received 2010 Wimbledon Tomas Berdych 6–3, 7–5, 6–4
Received 2010 US Open Novak Djokovic 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
Received 2011 French Open Roger Federer 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1
Misplaced 2011 Wimbledon Novak Djokovic 4–6, 1–6, 6–1, 3–6
Misplaced 2011 US Open Novak Djokovic 2–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 1–6
Misplaced 2012 Australian Open Novak Djokovic 7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6, 5-7
Received 2012 French Open Novak Djokovic 6–4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
Received 2013 French Open David Ferrer 6–3, 6–2, 6–3
Received 2013 US Open Novak Djokovic 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Misplaced 2014 Australian Open Stan Wawrinka 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 3–6
Received 2014 French Open Novak Djokovic 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
Misplaced 2017 Australian Open Roger Federer 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 3-6
Received 2017 French Open Stan Wawrinka 6–2, 6–3, 6–1
Received 2017 US Open Kevin Anderson 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
Received 2018 French Open Dominic Thiem 6–4, 6–3, 6–2
Misplaced 2019 Australian Open Novak Djokovic 3–6, 2–6, 3–6
Received 2019 French Open Dominic Thiem 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1
Received 2019 US Open Daniil Medvedev 7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4
Received 2020 French Open Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5
Promoted
Received 2022 Australian Open Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 7-5
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