“I fell asleep” Rafael Nadal on watching highlights of his finals against Daniil Medvedev
Follow Us
Rafael Nadal
The only man with 21 Grand Slam titles to his name, Rafael Nadal returned to his home after a successful undefeated stint in Down Under as he won 2 titles from the 2 tournaments he played. Starting with a Tour title win in Melbourne Summer Set 1, the Spaniard then went to script history in Melbourne Park as he won the 2022 Australian Open.
Coming into the Australian Open, not many gave Nadal a chance to win the title given his long time away from Grand Slam action and playing just 5 matches since his run at the 2021 French Open. While Nadal managed to take down opponents, his biggest test came in the form of World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev who went 2-sets up in the finals and was just a set away from clinching the title.
At an important junction in the 3rd set, Nadal rallied to save 3 break points that would have given Medvedev a 4-2 lead in the 3rd set. Saving the breakpoints, he clawed back to force a 5th set and after a gruelling long battle of 5 hours and 24 minutes, Nadal won the title of 2022 Australian Open 2-6, 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. This was his second win at Melbourne Park thus completing the Career Slam for the second time in his career and becoming just the 4th man to do so.
“The truth is that I put a summary of the match and I fell asleep in front of it. The next day, I was able to see him again and during the trip, I also took the opportunity to respond to the messages of congratulations that I received,” said Nadal during his presentation ceremony at the Rafa Nadal Academy after arriving in Spain.
Rafael Nadal talks of his 2022 calendar going ahead
With the question now lingering where will the 21-time Grand Slam champion play next, he addressed it during the ceremony. “I signed up for Acapulco and Indian Wells, but I have to make a decision that are in accordance with what my body allows me to do. Acapulco is the closer one, I would like to be there but I have to see what are the perspective”, said Nadal on his plan for the remainder of the season.
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)