Rafael Nadal recalls: 'I fell asleep while watching it'

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal secured his 21st Major crown at the last year's Australian Open. Nadal passed all the obstacles and lifted his first trophy in Melbourne since 2009! Traveling home, Rafa started watching highlights of his epic triumph over Daniil Medvedev in the title clash.

However, he fell asleep, continuing while waiting for his second flight. The Spaniard produced a little miracle at the Australian Open, playing only 29 matches in 2021 and struggling with injuries. Also, Rafa caught the coronavirus ahead of 2022, spending more time off the practice court.

However, he decided to travel down under, making it a perfect decision. Leaving all the problems behind, Nadal claimed two titles in Melbourne within a couple of weeks, writing history as the first player with 21 Major titles!

Rafa prevailed over Denis Shapovalov in a thriller and bested Matteo Berrettini to advance into the title clash.

Rafael Nadal claimed his second Australian Open title last year.

Nadal faced world no. 2 Daniil Medvedev in a battle for the trophy and scored a memorable 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 triumph in five hours and 24 minutes, lifting his first trophy at Melbourne Park since 2009!

Nadal performed one of his most notable comebacks in a career for his first Major since October 2020. Nadal came from the verge of defeat and overpowered a ten-years younger opponent to lift the second Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and move in front of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Rafa became the first player in the Open era who came from two sets to love down in the Australian Open final despite trailing 6-2, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0!

Nadal saved those three break points in the sixth game and started his remarkable comeback.

He took sets three and four to force a decider, gathering every piece of energy to remain competitive. The Spaniard moved 5-3 up in the final set and served for the title in game ten, only to suffer a break from 30-0 up. Keeping his focus, Rafa broke again in game 11 and held at love a few minutes later to start a massive celebration and become the first player with 21 Major titles.

Nadal joined Novak Djokovic as the second player with multiple titles at all four Majors. At 35 years and six months, Rafa became the third-oldest Major winner after Roger Federer and Ken Rosewall, finally lifting the second crown in Melbourne after losing four straight finals after 2009.