Australian Open 2022 winner, Rafael Nadal joins Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver in achieving one of the RAREST feats in tennis history

Australian Open 2022 winner, Rafael Nadal joins Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver in achieving one of the RAREST feats in tennis history

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal scripted history on Sunday evening, as he became the first male tennis player to claim his 21st Grandslam singles title. This means that the Spaniard now has the lead in the Big Three race over rivals, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal came back from two sets down to complete a comeback win of some magnitude against the world number two, Daniil Medvedev. Only a few tennis players could produce that sort of a comeback, that too in a final and Rafa Nadal is one among them.

After claiming his second Australian Open title, Rafael Nadal now becomes only the fourth male to complete his Double Career Grandslam. This feat involves winning each major on atleast two occasions. Australian tennis legends, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson are part of this club, alongside current world number one, Novak Djokovic. The list is made up of just four people, and even Roger Federer is a notable omission.

Also Read: “Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time” Novak Djokovic congratulates Rafael Nadal for winning the 21st Grand Slam, reaches out to Daniil Medvedev as well

Rafael Nadal becomes only fourth male to complete Double Career Grandslam title

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has now claimed two Australian Open titles, 13 French Open titles, 2 Wimbledon titles and 4 US Open triumphs which takes his total tally to 21 majors. On the other hand, Novak Djokovic has achieved majority of his success on hard courts.

Novak Djokovic has 9 Australian Open titles, as well as 6 Wimbledon titles. He completed his Double Career Grandslam, when he claimed his second French Open title last year. Rod Laver and Roy Emerson had 11 and 12 majors to their name respectively.

List of People to have completed the Double Career Grandslam:

  • Rod Laver- 11 majors (3 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 4 Wimbledon, 2 US Open)
  • Roy Emerson- 12 majors (6 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 2 Wimbledon, 2 US Open)
  • Novak Djokovic- 20 majors (9 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, 3 US Open)
  • Rafael Nadal- 21 majors (2 Australian Open, 13 French Open, 2 Wimbledon, 4 US Open)

Roy Emerson achieved most of his success on home soil, as he claimed 6 Australian Open titles. On the other hand, Rod Laver achieved more success at Wimbledon, claiming four titles, whilst winning three Australian Open titles.

Also Read: ‘Rafa always shows us what Sport is all about,’ Twitter erupts as Roger Federer, Lando Norris, and other sporting icons applaud Rafael Nadal for claiming 21st major title