“Biggest Comeback of My Career”: Rafael Nadal Evaluates His Masterclass Performance at Australian Open 2022 Finals Against Daniil Medvedev

A left foot injury forced Nadal to announce that he would not take part in the 2021 Wimbledon Championship, the Tokyo Olympics, and the US Open. While he did not undergo surgery, he was on crutches just a few months back. He also spoke about how his team had contemplated whether he could even be back at the tour at all, let alone lift another title.

Also read: “GOAT”: Roddick, Wawrinka, Gasol, Casillas, Kroos, and Entire Sporting Fraternity Goes Beserk as Rafael Nadal Wins 21st Grand Slam

This was Nadal’s sixth final at Melbourne Park, where he won way back in 2019. In 2012, he lost to Novak Djokovic, in a match that lasted 5 hours 53 minutes- the longest final at a final of any major. In 2014, he lost to Stan Wawrinka and in 2017 to Roger Federer.

He said that this win, therefore, was ‘most unexpected’ and ‘surprising‘. This was more so, given the condition he had been in, leading up to the season. He had only played an exhibition tournament at Mubadala Tennis Championship and the Melbourne Summer Set before beginning his quest for the 21st Grand Slam.