Rafael Nadal Keeps His Date With History, Wins Australian Open To Become First Man To Reach 21 Grand Slam Titles | Tennis News

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 courtroom, turned the primary man to win 21 Grand Slam titles, reaching the milestone on the laborious courtroom of the Rod Laver Area 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 courtroom, since successful his solely Australian Open title earlier than at this time, 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 move as he got here again from two units right 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 probably 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 energy 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 courtroom, to changing 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 massive 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 neglect 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, virtually 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 yr being a serious 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 may not finish with probably the most Grand Slam titles for a male tennis participant ultimately. 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 record of Grand Slam Finals performed by Rafael Nadal

Consequence            12 months              Match               Opponent                       Rating

Received              2005             French Open        Mariano Puerta          6–7, 6–3, 6–1, 7–5

Received              2006             French Open        Roger Federer           1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6

Misplaced               2006            Wimbledon            Roger Federer           0–6, 6–7, 7–6, 3–6

Received              2007            French Open          Roger Federer           6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4

Misplaced               2007           Wimbledon             Roger Federer           6-7, 6-4, 6-7, 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, 6-7, 9-7

Received              2009          Australian Open        Roger Federer           7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 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, 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, 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