Rafael Nadal claimed his first Australian Open title in 2009 over Roger Federer. The 22-year-old Spaniard conquered his first Main title exterior clay and grass, extending his legacy and transferring nearer to a Profession Grand Slam.
Rafa misplaced the next 4 Australian Open finals between 2012 and 2019, lacking an opportunity so as to add the second Melbourne trophy to his tally. It lastly occurred in 2022 after an epic story! Rafa recalled his Australian Open run from nearly three years in the past.
The legend referred to as the title conflict one of the crucial emotional moments of his profession, reviving the sentiments and adrenaline that went by way of him throughout an unbelievable battle. Nadal performed nicely within the opening 4 rounds to guide a spot within the quarter-final.
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 30, 2022
He survived an enormous battle in opposition to Denis Shapovalov, prevailing in 5 units after over 4 hours. Rafa misplaced a few kilograms and endured abdomen points en path to a notable victory. The Spaniard recovered inside a few days and ousted Matteo Berrettini in 4 units.
Thus, Rafa booked a spot in his sixth and final Australian Open remaining. Daniil Medvedev had an enormous likelihood to ship Nadal’s fifth consecutive Australian Open remaining loss. The Russian performed nicely and led 6-2, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0 after two hours and 45 minutes!
Rafael Nadal & Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
By no means stopped believing, Rafa bounced again and produced an unbelievable comeback, beating Daniil 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in 5 hours and 24 minutes! Thus, the legend turned the primary participant with 21 Main titles, leaving Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic behind.
Nadal additionally joined Djokovic on the unique checklist of gamers with two trophies at every of the 4 Majors. At 35 years and 7 months, the Spaniard turned the third-oldest Australian Open champion after Roger Federer and Ken Rosewall.
Rafa and Daniil offered one of the crucial grueling Main finals, with two rivals throwing all the pieces at one another. Medvedev claimed seven factors extra and had an opportunity to seal the cope with a break in that essential sixth sport of the third set.
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
The veteran survived and launched his comeback, unleashing his endless preventing spirit. He compelled a decider and prevailed with a late break to put in writing historical past books. The encounter offered 44 break factors, 22 for every participant.
Nadal defended 16 and delivered seven breaks, together with the pivotal one within the remaining set’s closing levels. The Russian landed 23 aces and performed a bit higher behind the primary serve. Rafa produced extra dependable numbers behind the second serve, though they stayed under 50%.
Daniil hit extra service winners and constructed an enormous benefit within the shortest exchanges as much as 4 strokes. Nadal responded within the mid-range ones, whereas nothing separated them in probably the most prolonged rallies. Medvedev hit extra winners and fewer unforced errors.
Nevertheless, he missed his possibilities and skilled probably the most brutal profession loss. The youthful participant made a dependable begin. He served at 82% within the first set and dropped six factors in his video games, maintaining the strain on the opposite aspect.
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
The legend struggled to seek out his first serve. He dropped half of the factors in his video games and suffered two breaks for a difficult begin. Rafa saved two break factors within the third sport, however his photographs weren’t there, missing velocity and depth.
Medvedev clinched a break at love within the fifth sport and held within the subsequent one for a 4-2 lead. Nadal missed a volley within the seventh sport, getting damaged for the second straight time. Daniil served for the opener at 5-2 and fired a service winner for 6-2 in 42 minutes.
Rafa raised his stage within the second set, battling for 84 minutes! Daniil bounced again from 3-5, saving a set level and clinching a tie break to generate an enormous benefit. Nadal secured his first break within the fourth sport, transferring 3-1 in entrance.
Medvedev pulled the break again in sport seven, lowering the hole however struggling one other break within the subsequent one to fall 5-3 behind. The legend landed a drop shot winner in that eighth sport and served for the set.
Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
Nevertheless, he squandered a set level and allowed Daniil to transform the fifth break alternative, pulling the break again and lengthening the set. The set went right into a tie break, and the extra skilled participant led 5-4. Too shut however too far, some would say!
The Russian rattled off three factors. He painted a backhand down the road winner at 6-5 and moved a set away from his second consecutive Main trophy. Nadal missed a break likelihood within the prolonged opening sport of the third set.
The Russian offered two holds at love and had an enormous likelihood to terminate the Spaniard’s resistance within the sixth sport! Nadal refused to give up. He defended three break factors and held after prolonged exchanges for an enormous enhance of confidence!
Rafa fired a backhand down the road winner within the ninth sport for a break. He served for the set at 5-4 and painted a forehand winner, lowering the general hole and lengthening his possibilities. Two rivals embraced one other marathon within the fourth set.
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
They traded breaks in video games three and 4, and Nadal transformed the seventh break likelihood at 2-2 to maneuver in entrance. Rafa performed in opposition to two break factors within the eighth sport, saving them and opening a 5-3 benefit. Medvedev confronted a set level on serve in sport 9.
The Russian denied it and prolonged the set. Did a missed likelihood have an effect on Nadal’s confidence? In no way! The Spaniard produced a maintain at love within the tenth sport for 6-4, forcing a decider after 4 hours and 12 minutes.
Medvedev landed a forehand winner within the first sport of the ultimate set and saved a break level. Nadal made one other push on the return at 2-2, touchdown a forehand down the road winner for a break. The sixth sport delivered one other marathon.
Rafa performed in opposition to three break factors, denying them with service winners and holding for a 4-2 benefit. Nadal held within the eighth sport and moved 5-3 in entrance, inserting one hand on the trophy. Nevertheless, the second needed to wait!
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
Daniil held within the ninth sport and prolonged the match. He bounced again from 0-30 on the return within the subsequent one and rattled off 4 factors. Rafa missed a backhand on a break level, bringing his rival to 5-5 and experiencing an enormous blow.
The last word tennis fighter saved his composure after over 5 hours. Nadal created three break factors within the eleventh sport and welcomed Medvedev’s mistake on the final, offering a break and opening a 6-5 benefit.
The legend earned an opportunity to serve for the title for the second time. This time, he made no errors! Rafa held at love with a backhand volley winner, sealing the deal in model and celebrating his first Australian Open title in 13 years.
“The 2022 Australian Open final was one of the most emotional moments of my tennis career. It’s almost impossible to replicate those feelings, the nerves and adrenaline. Tennis is my passion, and it always will be,” Rafael Nadal mentioned.
