Rafael Nadal made it to number 21 by breaking the men’s Grand Slam singles record. However, he did so in style. In a nearly five-hour Australian Open final, he came back from two sets down and beat Daniil Mevedev.

Nadal lost the opportunity to serve for the championship at 5-4, in the fifth set. However, Nadal made no mistakes by serving an ace two games later. This earned him three championship points.

His long-running rivals, the “Big Three”, Roger Federer (35) and Novak Djokovic (35) now have one major title each.

The 2-6, 66-7 (5) and 6-4 sets, respectively, that began Sunday night were delayed by a protester who jumped on the court. Nadal was also the only man to have won all four major tennis titles at least once.

“Good evening. “No, it’s good morning! Nadal glanced at his watch as he told Rod Laver Arena the crowd when he stood for his acceptance speech. It was 1:30 AM.

Rod Laver (an aging Australian tennis legend) was standing in the background and holding his phone to record the scene. One woman stood nearby and held up a sign saying: “Rafa the GOAT!”

Nadal, for now at least in men’s top titles, is considered the Greatest of All Time.

Nadal described it as “one of my most emotionally charged matches” and thanked Medvedev, who played a significant role in the 24-minute, 5-hour final. After Nadal’s defeat to Djokovic, which lasted 5 minutes 53 seconds in 2012 decider, it was the second longest Australian Open final.

It was remarkable that Nadal arrived in Australia after only two matches. He was sidelined by a chronic foot injury, which can be managed but cannot be cured. He won a battle with Covid-19.

It’s amazing to me. Nadal stated that he didn’t think he would be able play again on the tour a month ago. “It’s been without doubt one of the most difficult months in my tennis career.

“The tremendous support I received over the past three weeks will be a part of my soul for the rest my life.”

Nadal was the winner of his first Australian Open title, in 2009. He also lost four finals at Melbourne Park prior to his thrilling win against Medvedev, U.S. Open champion. He now has a conversion rate of 21 percent in major finals. Federer, Djokovic and a total of 20 majors are derived from their respective 31 finals matches.

Medvedev who was trying to become the Open era’s first man to win a second Grand Slam title at a major was never far from spoiling another 21st party.

Djokovic was trying to break the U.S. Open’s record for the most consecutive years. He also had a Grand Slam calendar year last year. Medvedev won the final in straight sets.

Federer had a chance at 21 too, but Djokovic didn’t have that opportunity. He saved match points and won the 2019 Wimbledon final.

Andy Murray and Medvedev are now the only two players to have lost the final of the major tournament following their breakthrough career at the highest level.

The match was Nadal’s fourth victory from two sets down, the first win since his fourth-round victory over Mikhail Youzhny at Wimbledon in 2007.

After dropping two sets in the final, he is now the Australian Open Champion.