Rafael Nadal wins historic 21st Grand Slam: A look at his journey to memorable Australian Open triumph

Rafael Nadal staged an incredible comeback from two set down to beat 2nd seed Daniil Medvedev in an epic final to create history at the Australian Open 2022 on Sunday (January 30). Nadal defeated the Russian 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 in a riveting final to win a record 21st men's singles Grand Slam title and go past arch-rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Nadal, who had lost on his last four final appearances in the Australian Open, stunned Medvedev despite losing the first two sets back-to-back. Medvedev started off in brilliant fashion and made light work of the Spaniard in the first set to clinch it 6-2 inside 42 minutes. However, Nadal fund his mojo back and bounced back strongly in the second.

Nadal raced to a 4-1 lead after winning a 40-shot rally in the second set and looked all but set to clinch it before Medvedev fought back. The Russian forced the set into a tie-breaker as he came from 1-4 down to take the second set 6-7(5). Medvedev had all but buried Nadal it seemed with his incredible defence and sublime skills. However, the Spaniard proved why he should never be written off.

Nadal was left with an uphill task, a mountain to climb after losing the first two sets straight with not many expecting him to come back from 2 sets down and pull off an incredible victory. Nadal managed to take the 3rd set 6-4 after being tied at 4-4 and managed to hang in there in the dramatic summit clash.

Much to Medvedev's frustration and Nadal's delight, the Spaniard raced to a 4-2 lead in the fourth set and saved two break points to go 5-3 up. He eventually won the set 6-4 to restore parity at 2-2 and force the final into a deciding fifth set. The final set once again saw the two tennis stars fight tooth and nail and give their all on the court before Nadal emerged on top to script history at Melbourne Park.

Nadal brought an end to his 13-year long wait for an Australian Open title having last defeated Federer in the final Down Under in 2009. Returning from a knee injury after a gap of six months, Nadal had been written off by many at the start of the Australian Open 2022 but the absence of Federer due to an injury and Djokovic having to pull out due to his unvaccinated status paved the way for his glorious comeback.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rafael-nadal-wins-historic-21st-grand-slam-a-look-at-his-journey-to-memorable-australian-open-triumph-448534">Rafael Nadal wins historic 21st Grand Slam: A look at his journey to memorable Australian Open triumph</a>

Nadal had missed the Wimbledon due to fatigue and the US Open due to his foot injury last year. He had earlier revealed he almost thought of giving up tennis at one stage and felt blessed just to be playing at the Australian Open this year. However, the 35-year-old showcased remarkable&nbsp;grit and resilience in the final to go the distance in the tournament and realise his dream of a 21st Grand Slam crown.

Rafael Nadal staged an incredible comeback from two set down to beat 2nd seed Daniil Medvedev in an epic final to create history at the Australian Open 2022 on Sunday (January 30).

Rafael Nadal staged an incredible comeback from two set down to beat 2nd seed Daniil Medvedev in an epic final to create history at the Australian Open 2022 on Sunday (January 30). Nadal defeated the Russian 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 in a riveting final to win a record 21st men's singles Grand Slam title and go past arch-rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Nadal, who had lost on his last four final appearances in the Australian Open, stunned Medvedev despite losing the first two sets back-to-back. Medvedev started off in brilliant fashion and made light work of the Spaniard in the first set to clinch it 6-2 inside 42 minutes. However, Nadal fund his mojo back and bounced back strongly in the second. Nadal raced to a 4-1 lead after winning a 40-shot rally in the second set and looked all but set to clinch it before Medvedev fought back. The Russian forced the set into a tie-breaker as he came from 1-4 down to take the second set 6-7(5). Medvedev had all but buried Nadal it seemed with his incredible defence and sublime skills. However, the Spaniard proved why he should never be written off. Nadal was left with an uphill task, a mountain to climb after losing the first two sets straight with not many expecting him to come back from 2 sets down and pull off an incredible victory. Nadal managed to take the 3rd set 6-4 after being tied at 4-4 and managed to hang in there in the dramatic summit clash. Much to Medvedev's frustration and Nadal's delight, the Spaniard raced to a 4-2 lead in the fourth set and saved two break points to go 5-3 up. He eventually won the set 6-4 to restore parity at 2-2 and force the final into a deciding fifth set. The final set once again saw the two tennis stars fight tooth and nail and give their all on the court before Nadal emerged on top to script history at Melbourne Park. Nadal brought an end to his 13-year long wait for an Australian Open title having last defeated Federer in the final Down Under in 2009. Returning from a knee injury after a gap of six months, Nadal had been written off by many at the start of the Australian Open 2022 but the absence of Federer due to an injury and Djokovic having to pull out due to his unvaccinated status paved the way for his glorious comeback. Also Read: Rafael Nadal wins historic 21st Grand Slam: A look at his journey to memorable Australian Open triumph Nadal had missed the Wimbledon due to fatigue and the US Open due to his foot injury last year. He had earlier revealed he almost thought of giving up tennis at one stage and felt blessed just to be playing at the Australian Open this year. However, the 35-year-old showcased remarkable grit and resilience in the final to go the distance in the tournament and realise his dream of a 21st Grand Slam crown.

Rafael Nadal beats Daniil Medvedev to win Australian Open 2022, bags record 21st Grand Slam title

Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev will face off in a generational clash on Sunday for the year`s first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, with both men having the chance to write their names into the record books.

A second triumph at Melbourne Park for 2009 champion Nadal will break a three-way tie for the most major titles in the men`s game, with the Spaniard nosing ahead of rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with a 21st Slam.

The 35-year-old repeatedly played down his chances in the leadup and during the past fortnight owing to a calamitous buildup due to a career-threatening foot problem and illness from contracting the COVID-19 virus.

Yet he has produced some incredible tennis to enjoy a 10-match winning run, picking up an ATP 250 title in Melbourne before the year`s first major, and reach a 29th major final and his sixth in Australia.

"I just feel happy to be part of this amazing era of tennis, sharing all these things with another two players. That`s it," Nadal said, adding that he was surprised to reach the championship match.

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"In some ways it doesn`t matter if somebody achieves one more or one less. We did amazing things and things that will be very difficult to equal. I don`t think much about all this stuff."

Standing against him will be the world number two Russian - 10 years younger and a player who has already denied Djokovic a 21st major in the final of the U.S. Open in September.

Another win on Sunday will cement Medvedev`s status as the leader of the next generation, who will give the `old guard` a run for their money in an exciting year for the sport and end their iron grip on Slam titles. Medvedev will be glad to play the role of dream wrecker once again.

"I`m gonna play again against one of the greatest. And what`s funny, that again I`m going to play someone going for the 21st Slam," Medvedev said with a smile.

"I guess Rafa was watching (the U.S. Open final) near the TV ... I don`t know who he was cheering for. I think Novak will be watching this one ... also!"

Medvedev will himself aim to become the first man, since tennis became professional in 1968, to win a second Grand Slam title immediately after claiming his first following his 2021 U.S. Open success.

Sunday`s showpiece will be the Russian`s fourth major final and each time he has faced either Djokovic or Nadal -- who beat Medvedev in an enthralling U.S. Open final in 2019.

Nadal will go into the Rod Laver Arena contest with a 3-1 overall lead in previous meetings but Medvedev won their most recent contest when he took down the Spaniard in the semi-finals of the 2020 ATP Finals.

Medvedev, who was the highest-ranked player in the men`s draw the past fortnight, is also the favourite against the world number five Nadal, according to Australian bookmakers.

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The Russian, who had to save a match point in the fourth set in his quarter-final against Canada`s Felix Auger-Aliassime, oozed confidence on Friday and said he can beat anybody. He will try to bring his best tennis on court and make his own mark in tennis history.

"I think it`s great rivalry between them," he said about the `Big Three` rivalry. "I`m happy to have the chance to try to stop one more time somebody from making history.

"It`s not me going for the 21st, not me trying to break these records. I`m going for my second one. Of course, I know what`s happening, I know what Rafa is going for, I knew what Novak was going for.

"I`m not gonna say, `Oh, yeah, I am trying not to listen about this. But it`s kind of their thing, not mine. I`m just there to try to win the final."

Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev will face off in a generational clash on Sunday for the year`s first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, with both men having the chance to write their names into the record books.

Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev will face off in a generational clash on Sunday for the year`s first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, with both men having the chance to write their names into the record books. A second triumph at Melbourne Park for 2009 champion Nadal will break a three-way tie for the most major titles in the men`s game, with the Spaniard nosing ahead of rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with a 21st Slam. The 35-year-old repeatedly played down his chances in the leadup and during the past fortnight owing to a calamitous buildup due to a career-threatening foot problem and illness from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Yet he has produced some incredible tennis to enjoy a 10-match winning run, picking up an ATP 250 title in Melbourne before the year`s first major, and reach a 29th major final and his sixth in Australia. "I just feel happy to be part of this amazing era of tennis, sharing all these things with another two players. That`s it," Nadal said, adding that he was surprised to reach the championship match. Read Also | 'Little bit surreal': Ashleigh Barty after historic Australian Open triumph "In some ways it doesn`t matter if somebody achieves one more or one less. We did amazing things and things that will be very difficult to equal. I don`t think much about all this stuff." Standing against him will be the world number two Russian - 10 years younger and a player who has already denied Djokovic a 21st major in the final of the U.S. Open in September. Another win on Sunday will cement Medvedev`s status as the leader of the next generation, who will give the `old guard` a run for their money in an exciting year for the sport and end their iron grip on Slam titles. Medvedev will be glad to play the role of dream wrecker once again. "I`m gonna play again against one of the greatest. And what`s funny, that again I`m going to play someone going for the 21st Slam," Medvedev said with a smile. "I guess Rafa was watching (the U.S. Open final) near the TV ... I don`t know who he was cheering for. I think Novak will be watching this one ... also!" Medvedev will himself aim to become the first man, since tennis became professional in 1968, to win a second Grand Slam title immediately after claiming his first following his 2021 U.S. Open success. Sunday`s showpiece will be the Russian`s fourth major final and each time he has faced either Djokovic or Nadal -- who beat Medvedev in an enthralling U.S. Open final in 2019. Nadal will go into the Rod Laver Arena contest with a 3-1 overall lead in previous meetings but Medvedev won their most recent contest when he took down the Spaniard in the semi-finals of the 2020 ATP Finals. Medvedev, who was the highest-ranked player in the men`s draw the past fortnight, is also the favourite against the world number five Nadal, according to Australian bookmakers. Read Also | Australian Open 2022: Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis clinch men's doubles title The Russian, who had to save a match point in the fourth set in his quarter-final against Canada`s Felix Auger-Aliassime, oozed confidence on Friday and said he can beat anybody. He will try to bring his best tennis on court and make his own mark in tennis history. "I think it`s great rivalry between them," he said about the `Big Three` rivalry. "I`m happy to have the chance to try to stop one more time somebody from making history. "It`s not me going for the 21st, not me trying to break these records. I`m going for my second one. Of course, I know what`s happening, I know what Rafa is going for, I knew what Novak was going for. "I`m not gonna say, `Oh, yeah, I am trying not to listen about this. But it`s kind of their thing, not mine. I`m just there to try to win the final."

Australian open: Rafael Nadal faces dream-wrecker Daniil Medvedev in more than just a Slam final