Rafael Nadal Keeps His Date With History, Bags Australian Open 2022 To Become First Man To Win 21 Grand Slam Titles
Rafael Nadal on Sunday achieved what no other male tennis player has in the history of the sport. The Spaniard, synonymous with greatness on clay court, became the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles.
Rafael Nadal on Sunday achieved what no other male tennis player has in the history of the sport. The Spaniard, synonymous with greatness on clay court, became the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles, reaching the milestone at the hard court of the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne as he outslugged Russia's Daniil Medvedev, to win the Australian Open 2022 men's singles title. Nadal, who has suffered several heartbreaks on this court, since winning his only Australian Open title before today, 13 years ago in 2009, knew that he had a date with history and was in no mood to let this opportunity pass as he came back from two sets down to beat Medvedev. His victory would have been sweeter, had it come with his scourge and primary adversary Novak Djokovic in fray for the title, but even the most vocal Rafa-critics would agree Nadal has deserved this record for long.
Nadal had to dig deep into his reserves of stamina and mental strength to get the better of Medvedev in a match which had all the thrills of a vintage Rafael Nadal five-setter.
From starting out as a precocious young talent with unmatched energy, and ability to outplay anything that walked on a clay court, to becoming an all-court specialist who battled with the great Roger Federer shot for shot, Nadal has been destined for greatness since making a name for himself in the big league.
The fact that he could beat Federer on all surfaces at the Swiss ace's peak and achieve all that he has in the presence of an all-conquering Novak Djokovic is a testament to his longevity, perseverance and skill. Let's also not forget the fact that Nadal has an Olympic gold medal in his kitty, something both Federer and Djokovic are yet to achieve.
This victory over Medvedev, almost 10 years younger, is mammoth in many ways. It reinforces the fact that Nadal can rise up from any setback, losing to Djokovic at the French Open last year being a major one. It also sets him up perfectly for the clay season where he would hope to find his feet again and try and add another major to his trophy cabinet.
Djokovic is younger, fitter and looks hungry for a lot more still and it could mean Nadal might not end with the most Grand Slam titles for a male tennis player eventually. But all of that debate and calculation is for later. This day belongs to the man from Mallorca as he sits pretty at the zenith of men's tennis.
Full list of Grand Slam Finals played by Rafael Nadal
Result           Year             Tournament              Opponent                      Score
Won       2005       French Open    Mariano Puerta         6–7, 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
Won             2006       French Open    Roger Federer          1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6
Lost        2006      Wimbledon            Roger Federer          0–6, 6–7, 7–6, 3–6
Won       2007       French Open     Roger Federer          6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Lost        2007      Wimbledon       Roger Federer      6-7, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 2-6
Won       2008       French Open     Roger Federer          6–1, 6–3, 6–0
Won             2008      Wimbledon       Roger Federer         6–4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7
Won             2009      Australian Open        Roger Federer      7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2
Won             2010         French Open       Robin Soderling     6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Won             2010         Wimbledon               Tomas Berdych         6–3, 7–5, 6–4
Won             2010          US Open                 Novak Djokovic        6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
Won             2011         French Open             Roger Federer          7–5, 7–6, 5–7, 6–1
Lost             2011         Wimbledon                Novak Djokovic         4–6, 1–6, 6–1, 3–6
Lost             2011         US Open                   Novak Djokovic         2–6, 4–6, 7–6, 1–6
Lost             2012         Australian Open          Novak Djokovic     7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6, 5-7
Won            2012         French Open             Novak Djokovic         6–4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
Won            2013         French Open             David Ferrer              6–3, 6–2, 6–3
Won            2013          US Open                  Novak Djokovic         6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Lost             2014         Australian Open     Stan Wawrinka         3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 3–6
Won            2014         French Open              Novak Djokovic         3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
Lost             2017         Australian Open          Roger Federer     4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 3-6
Won            2017         French Open              Stan Wawrinka         6–2, 6–3, 6–1
Won            2017         US Open           Kevin Anderson     6–3, 6–3, 6–4
Won            2018         French Open        Dominic Thiem     6–4, 6–3, 6–2
Lost             2019         Australian Open          Novak Djokovic         3–6, 2–6, 3–6
Won            2019         French Open              Dominic Thiem          6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1
Won            2019         US Open           Daniil Medvedev     7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4
Won            2020         French Open              Novak Djokovic      6-0, 6-2, 7-5
Won            2022         Australian Open          Daniil Medvedev        2-6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 7-5
Novak Djokovic