Rafael Nadal beat Daniil Medvedev in a classic Australian Open final, rallying from a two-set deficit to win a record 21st Grand Slam title just months after feeling his career was finished due to injuries.
With Novak Djokovic forced out by deportation and Roger Federer recovering from knee surgery, the Spanish great is now one major title clear of his “Big Three” rivals after surviving the 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 thriller at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
A classic Nadal, riding a wave of loud crowd support, produced one of his best performances to reject Medvedev once more, less than three years after leaving the Russian heartbroken in five sets in the 2019 US Open final.
Nadal was two points away from winning the match when he was broken while serving for the championship at 5-4.
He retained his nerve to break Medvedev again and serve the match out to love, racing in to hit a breathtaking backhand volley as the match’s grand finale.
Nadal shook his head and smirked as he tossed his racket on the ground, then booted a tennis ball away and raised his fists in delight.
