MELBOURNE, Australia – Looking for inspiration as he was behind two sets at zero and faced three break points, and with his chances of being almost extinguished for a 21st Grand Slam triumph and remaining in the history of men’s tennis, Rafael Nadal thought some of his most difficult defeats.

Known for his ability to fight from start to finish, Nadal dug deep into that crucial moment and earned the next four points to survive the immediate threat posed by Daniil Medvedev.

Minutes later, he won the game and made it 3-3 in the third set and turned the tide in the Australian Open tennis final.

Nadal eventually set the record for most titles in the men’s singles Grand Slam tournament with a dramatic 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory. in a battle that lasted five hours and 24 minutes and ended early Monday morning Melbourne time.

This 21st triumph allowed the 35-year-old Spaniard to overtake Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic – his two big rivals and the other two members of the famous big three – who both made a total of 20 career crowns in the men’s singles Grand Slam. tournament.

From the trio, Nadal was the only one who had the opportunity to make the record in Australia.

Federer is still struggling to recover from knee surgery and Djokovic was deported from Australia on the eve of the start of the tournament following controversy over his COVID-19 vaccination status.

This is all in the past now that Nadal became only the fourth player to win each of the four major tournaments at least twice.

“Throughout the race I told myself that I often lost here when I had the chance, that sometimes I was a little unlucky. “I just wanted to keep believing in it until the end,” Nadal said.

“The night is unforgettable. I consider myself very lucky. »

Serving with a 5-4 lead in the fifth set, Nadal suffered a fracture which he recovered immediately. Two games later, on his second chance to end this spectacular serve duel, the Spaniard was impeccable and converted his first match point.

“Considering all the facts, ‘the script, the momentum, is probably the biggest comeback of my tennis career,'” Nadal said. “The most unexpected and the most amazing, I think, for everyone. »

In the background, Federer and Djokovic saw the feat and took to social media to congratulate Nadal on breaking the triple tie.

Tense

Nadal and Medvedev multiplied the moments of tension in this final that started on Sunday afternoon, which was delayed during the second set – lasting 84 minutes – when a human rights activist jumped on the field and finished on Monday around 1: 15 p.m. Melbourne time. (9:15 a.m. Sunday in Quebec).

Nadal was lucky to win the second set on his serve, but suffered a fracture. Medvedev then had a chance to add a break to the third set, but it became tense, he admitted.

“I should have done better. I had to hit a winner. “Maybe I had won the match,” the Russian analyzes.

“Tactics, nothing has changed,” he added, “but Rafa has raised the level of his game.

Absolutely. Then, at 1:30 a.m., Nadal took the podium to deliver the welcome address.

“Good afternoon. No, good morning,” joked Nadal, glancing at his watch.

In the background, on the podiums, Rod Laver, the Australian tennis legend from whom the Melbourne Park Central Court took its name, was taking pictures of the historic moment with his mobile phone.

Not far from him, a woman was holding a poster that read: “Rafa is the CHILD” (Rafa is the greatest of all time).

So far, at least in terms of the number of Grand Slam triumphs in the men’s singles, Nadal is the best of all time.

Nadal paid tribute to Medvedev for his role in what would become the second biggest final in the history of the Australian Open, after that of 2012, when Djokovic defeated Nadal in 5:53 minutes.

Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam title is even more remarkable as he appeared in Australia after playing just two games in the second half of 2021 due to chronic leg pain that afflicted him. remained on the sidelines. He also had to fight COVID-19.

“It simply came to our notice then. Honestly, a month and a half ago, I did not know if I could play in the circuit again. »

Second player in the world, Medvedev hoped to win a second Grand Slam title. Last September, in the final of the United States Open, he defeated Djokovic in three sets.

Medvedev opened the post-match press conference by saying that when he was young he dreamed of big things in tennis, but he was a little disappointed. Shortly afterwards, he admitted his frustration with the way he was treated by the spectators in the final and earlier in the tournament.

“From now on, I will play alone. For my family. To give to my family, to the people who trust me. Of course, for all Russians because I feel great support there. »

Medvedev continued his love and hate relationship with the Australian public. He remained calm for the first two sets before complaining about noise and shouted between the first and second serve.

After Nadal had broken his serve in the third game of the fourth set, after a double error by Medvedev, the latter went to his bench in view of the change of sides and gave a thumbs up to a gesture colored with irony in the direction. of the crowd.

There was a break rally but Nadal took control after a long game when he scored his seventh break point.

Medvedev urged Chief Referee John Bloom to silence the crowd.

“Take control, it’s a Grand Slam final. “‘Please’ is not enough,” Medvedev said. “They are stupid. “With idiots, ‘please’ does not work,” the Russian added.

After Medvedev made a double error to start the fifth set, Blom warned the audience that any spectator shouting between the first and second serve would be sent off.

Medvedev managed to win this game but in the end he did not have enough endurance.

“I want to congratulate Rafa. What he did today was fantastic. “You are a remarkable champion,” said Medvedev.