Melbourne: Tennis star Rafael Nadal made history on Sunday by becoming the first player to win 21 Grand Slam trophies, surpassing Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who each have 20 Grand Slam wins.
Nadal beat his Russian opponent Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in a grueling five-set match that lasted over five hours.
The 35-year-old Spaniard was up against an opponent who was ten years younger than him and ranked higher than him, so it was always going to be a Herculean effort. As a clearly fazed Rafa glanced to the heavens, Medvedev made sure it was more than that. He surged to a two-set lead.
However, riding a wave of loud fan support, a vintage Nadal pulled off a remarkable comeback to deny Medvedev a Grand Slam for the second time. Everyone who enjoys sports praised the Spaniard’s efforts, and social media was awash with praise for what he had accomplished.
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time. Enhorabuena 👏🏆👍 @Medwed33 gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him. pic.twitter.com/DsOvK8idNc
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2022
The 35-year-old has also become just the second player in the Open Era alongside Djokovic to win each of the four majors at least twice. He is also the third-oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title after Ken Rosewall and Federer.
The Spaniard now has 58 ‘Big Titles’, putting him four behind Djokovic (62) and four clear of Roger Federer (54).
