Rafael Nadal Closes in on $500 Million Career-Earnings Mark After Record 21st Grand Slam Victory

35-year-old Rafael Nadal broke the all-time Grand Slam record for a men’s singles player by winning his 21st Grand Slam. The Australian Open 2022 saw the Spaniard emerge as a resurgent champion, winning an unforgettable five-setter match.

Moreover, Nadal has finally surpassed Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time Grand Slam tally. Prior to the Australian Open, the ‘Big 3’ had 20 Grand Slam titles each. After the win, Rafael Nadal’s career earnings, too, have risen, and are now close to a huge milestone.

Rafael Nadal inches closer to $500 million career earnings

With his win over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final, Rafael Nadal etched his name in the history books.

Moreover, he also became the only men’s player alongside Novak Djokovic to win each major at least twice. This was Rafael Nadal‘s second Australian Open victory after 2009. Sadly for Rafa, he lost four finals in Melbourne between 2009 and 2022.

However, now that he has won his second Grand Slam Down Under, Rafa has broken his losing streak in the final here. Additionally, he is now quite close to reaching the $500 million mark in terms of his career earnings.

According to estimates, Rafa’s career earnings have reached the amount of $490 million. This month alone, Rafa has earned over 2 million just from the ATP, in prize money.

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This comes from his victory in the Melbourne Summer Set 1 and following it up with the Australian Open. Undoubtedly, Rafael Nadal is having a phenomenal start to 2022. Moreover, it is particularly special, as he had been contemplating retirement just a few months ago.

Rafael Nadal hopes to defend his title

Even though he was on crutches just a few months ago and had been considering retiring from the sport, Rafa is now a part of history. In fact, his uncle Toni Nadal revealed that while leaving for Australia, Nadal had suspected that it would be the last time he would be playing the Grand Slam.

However, now things have changed, as Rafa stated in his post-match conference as well, that he intends to come back to Australia next year. Moreover, the world now waits, more excited than ever, to see the Spaniard potentially go for another Grand Slam at the French Open, which has long been his territory.

Are you excited to see the 21-time Grand Slam champion go for a record 14th Roland Garros title later this year?

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