Rafael Nadal skipped the second part of the 2021 season due to a foot injury. The Spaniard did not know what to expect at the start of 2022, heading to Melbourne and wishing for the best. Rafa conquered a small ATP 250 event and gained a boost ahead of the Australian Open.
Nadal battled past a couple of challenging rivals and set the title clash against Daniil Medvedev. The Russian built a 6-3, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0 advantage against the rival who was miles from his best. Rafa was a step away from losing his fifth consecutive Australian Open title clash before winning that third set’s sixth game and starting an incredible comeback.
Nadal grabbed sets three and four and prevailed in the fifth for 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in five hours and 24 minutes, lifting the record-breaking 21st Major and writing history books. Thus, Rafa claimed his second Australian Open crown and became the second player with multiple titles at all four Majors in the Open era after Novak Djokovic.
Giving his 120% against a ten-year younger rival, Nadal prevailed with a couple of breaks in the decider to cross the finish line and claim the title in the second most extended Major final. Mats Wilander praised Rafa’s endeavor and incredible comeback, explaining that he found the rhythm in the third set and used the crowd’s support to endure all the efforts and cross the finish line first.
Rafael Nadal performed a thrilling comeback in the Australian Open final.
“This is Rafael Nadal’s most significant comeback in a career and the biggest one in the Open era. Winning the 21st Major title at 35 and against the world’s best player at this moment is incredible.
I do not know where Rafa finds the strength. He came back from two sets to love down against Medvedev, one of the strongest rivals on the Tour. It was a physical battle, and Rafa figured out how to get free points with his serve and forehand.
Rafa did not play for six months and did not know what to expect in Melbourne. I thought he was cooked at two sets to love down, but he found a way to keep fighting and erase the deficit. We thought the match would play into Medvedev’s hands, but it was incredible to see Nadal’s comeback.
Rafa wasted his opportunities in the second set and lost it. You think there’s no way back from there. He started to build his bridges in the third set, getting into the zone and gathering energy as the match progressed. Also, the crowd drove Rafa over the finish line thanks to their massive support,” Mats Wilander said.
