Rafael Nadal Majors in Greatness

Nadal then tapped into his seemingly endless reservoir of self-belief, orchestrating a historic comeback to defeat Medvedev in 5-1/2 hours. With the 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory, the Spaniard became just the fourth man in history to win all four Majors at least twice. It was just the third comeback from two sets down at a Major for Nadal in his career and first since 2007. More importantly, he broke a three-way tie with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to scale Mount 21.

But before he could reach that summit, he had to climb out of a pit.

Another chapter is written 🏆@RafaelNadal defeats Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 to win his second #AusOpen title in an epic lasting five hours and 24 minutes.
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🎥: @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/OlMvhlGe6r

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022

If the first set was frustrating, the second — lost from a lead of 4-1 — was crushing. Hammer, nails, coffin analogies from commentators flew faster than Medvedev’s 190kmph serves. Nadal was 2-6, 6-7, 2-3 (0-40) down against the best hard-courter on the planet currently. A defeat, though bittersweet, would have come with no shame.

By Nadal’s own admission during the tournament, “Just to compete and play tennis at the high level again, facing the most important players of the world, it’s something unbelievable.”

A runner-up finish would have far exceeded all pre-tournament expectations. For the injury-ravaged veteran from Mallorca, 2021 was especially painful. He braved a back injury to compete at the French Open, where he suffered an unusual semi-final exit. Then a foot injury sidelined him for the majority of the season, and almost forced him through the door of retirement.

Finally fit, Nadal returned for exhibition games in Abu Dhabi and contracted Covid-19. “I was in bed for four days after contracting the virus, and three more days I was destroyed physically,” he told reporters.

Legendary status 💪#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/7uDDds3x7z

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022

“I had a lot of conversations with the team, with the family about what is going to happen if things continue like this, thinking that maybe it is a chance to say goodbye,” Nadal said after his semifinal win in Melbourne, explaining the uncharacteristically emotional outburst after making what was his 29th Grand Slam final. “To be able to be where I am now — I don’t know, I really can’t explain in words how important it is for me in terms of energy, in terms of personal satisfaction.”

Two months after pondering retirement, an Australian Open final would have been achievement enough for Nadal.

A win for Medvedev, meanwhile, would have furthered the new world order, and cemented his reputation as a spoiler. The Russian had dashed Novak Djokovic’s calendar Grand Slam/21st title bid in New York last September. Such a habit Medvedev has made of razing dreams that it’s almost surprising he didn’t take the court for home favourite Ash Barty’s drought-ending title match on Saturday.

“[To] share the court with you is just an honour.” 💙

Nothing but respect for @DaniilMedwed from @RafaelNadal 🤝#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/DLSydmENdQ

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022

How exactly, then, did Nadal thwart Medvedev? Well, how do you explain the unexplainable? Sunday’s instant classic was more about grit and less about serves and rallies. More about character, less about strokes. There were, however, moments that stood out from the melee in Melbourne.

Twist in the tale

Medvedev, known as the Octopus on the tour, is all limbs. The unorthodox Russian’s loading into a shot is minimal, and the swings fluid. He twists and pivots in unnatural ways, imparting sensational spin and power from half-turns. His lanky 6’6 frame and superior movement cover the court effectively. All that is to say, Medvedev is seldom wrong-footed. But Nadal almost brought him to his knees.

During the 84-minute second set, Nadal secured a break at 5-3 with a drop shot, beautifully-disguised as a full-blooded forehand down the line. Medvedev never saw it coming, stumbled and scampered. Nadal lost the set but regularly won the battle of drop shots, as Medvedev squandered chances with questionable execution and timing.

The momentum truly shifted at 4-4 in the third set. After a strong serve, Medvedev pinged a simple volley into the net, and mocked the cheering crowd. He conceded the break, and the red mist descended. To be fair, the majority of Rod Laver Arena audience interrupted Medvedev’s serves and cheered for unforced errors and faults.

Reunited with Norm 🏆#AusOpen • #AO2022 • @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/QAh0CPWYN0

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022

But Medvedev is used to being the villain. He was public enemy No.1 in the US Open final for the New York crowd, who had left Djokovic sobbing with their unprecedented support.

On Sunday, however, the Russian engaged with the hostilities. “They are idiots. No brains. Empty brains. Probably in their life it must be very bad,” he chatted with the chair umpire during the changeover.

To make matters worse, he began conceding the physical battles to a man 10 years his senior. After losing his way in the third set, Medvedev found it tough to course-correct the contest. But he refused to go away. With Nadal serving for the championship and the crowd squarely against him, Medvedev capitalised on an opening and made it 5-5 in the decider. But he couldn’t go through. Nadal broke him again and served out the tournament.

Memorable contest

Actor Eric Bana may have been in the stands but Nadal was both Hector and Hulk on the night. He defended the court like it was Troy, and began smashing after taking enough punishment. It wasn’t high-quality tennis. But the rough, error-strewn match was one for the ages.

At the presentation ceremony, removed from the contest, the two rivals chatted, giggled and gesticulated. Two tennis fans amazed like the rest of the world, two artists beaming with pride at what they had accomplished.

“What he [@RafaelNadal] did today, I was amazed.”

So were we @DaniilMedwed, so were we 🤯 #AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/yHm4fqcyHy

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022

“Tough to talk, after five hours-thirty, and losing … I want to congratulate Rafa because what you did today, I was amazed,” Medvedev said. “During the match, I tried just to play tennis, but after the match, I just, you know, asked him – ‘Are you tired?’”

Nadal was speechless.

“I don’t even know what to say, guys. For me, it’s just amazing, being honest, one month and a half ago, I didn’t know if I was going to be be back on the tour playing tennis again. And today, I’m here in front of all of you with this trophy with me, and you don’t know how much I’ve fought to be here.”

Minutes later, Nadal was pedalling away on a bike, cooling down while still gushing over his triumph with coach Carlos Moya. He got off the bike to meet Aussie legend Rod Laver, then climbed back on.

For now, Nadal has no plans of going away.

“One month and a half ago I said maybe there was a chance that’s going to be my last Australian Open,” he said. “But now that’s plenty of energy to keep going, so thank you very much!”

Scarier still for Nadal’s rivals, the Grand Slam caravan moves to Paris next.