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Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 31, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Loren Elliott
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 31, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Loren Elliott
How do you make a stunning comeback from an injury? Ask Rafael Nadal, who has returned on the ATP Tour with a bang. The Spaniard was sidelined for the latter half of the previous season owing to an injury. However, he made a strong comeback this year with titles at Melbourne Summer Set and the Australian Open.
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Moreover, the 35-year-old created history by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash. He became the first man to lift 21 Grand Slam singles titles. Deservingly, his come-from-behind victory invited huge rounds of appreciation from the entire tennis fraternity.
The social media was abuzz with praises for the Spaniard. Recently, even Mischa Zverev, Alexander Zverev’s brother, opened up about Rafael Nadal and drew links between the two stars.
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Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Madrid Open – Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain – May 7, 2021 Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Spain’s Rafael Nadal after their quarter final match REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Mischa Zverev feels Rafael Nadal sets an example for next-gen players
The elder Zverev brother felt that Alexander could not play freely at the Australian Open. He felt that his younger brother got into a stressful situation due to mounting expectations from him. Further, he cited the example of the 21-time Grand Slam champion, who was able to play freely in Melbourne after a long injury break.
He said, “With Rafa, it was the other way around. Emotionally, he was so happy that he could play at all, that his emotional happiness carried him through the tournament, although sometimes he didn’t play his best tennis.”
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Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 31, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the men’s singles final with trophy REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Additionally, he also explained the reasons behind Alexander Zverev’s disappointing Australian Open campaign. Mischa added, “He put a lot of pressure on himself. He wanted it so badly that it was his own undoing. He played outstandingly at the ATP Finals in Turin.” Notably, Alexander lost in the 4th round of the Australian Open to Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.
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Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 23, 2022. Germany’s Alexander Zverev reacts during his fourth-round match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
The World No. 3 would be eager to shrug off his inconsistency and come back stronger in the coming tournaments. He will next be seen in action at Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco, Mexico.
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Do you think Alexander Zverev will win his maiden Grand Slam title this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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