Rafael Nadal has had an incredible start to the new season. The 35-year-old has already lifted two titles in the first month of the 2022 season. He won the Melbourne Summer Set title before aiming to become the first man in history to lift 21 Grand Slam singles titles.

Further, the Spaniard defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling final encounter to lift his second Australian Open title. Notably, the victory at the Rod Laver Arena was 13 years after he had won his first title way back in 2009.

Deservingly so, many fellow players on the tour and past legends of the game praised his come-from-behind victory. He became the talk of the town with his incredible achievement on the court. Moreover, even his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, was all praise for the Spaniard, as he revealed his off-court emotions during Nadal’s historic triumph.

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Toni Nadal shares some exciting comments after Rafael Nadal creates history

The former coach of the 21-time Grand Slam champion appreciated Nadal for his grit and determination on the court. He said, “Nowadays, people tend to surrender to frustration and complain too much. Rafa, though, being down 2 sets to zero had no bad face, nothing. He knew, all the time, how to overcome difficulty, which I think is the most outstanding thing from yesterday’s (final) match.”

Further, in his interview, Toni also revealed that he couldn’t make it to the end of the match, fearing a repeat of the past. Facing flashbacks from 2012 and 2017, when despite a strong fight, Rafa went on to lose the game, he feared his fate and looked elsewhere. He said, “I had vivid memories of the 2012 and 2017 finals. I was afraid Rafa could lose again. I remember being in Australia against Novak Djokovic. Rafael was about to do well, he was going to break up in the fifth set but because of a ball he slipped away and we lost the match. Against Federer, the same break up in the fifth, but lost.”

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Additionally, the former coach also mentioned that Nadal did not return to his hometown yesterday. His flight had been canceled for unknown reasons and hence they had to stay one more day there, which Toni didn’t think was a big problem, especially after a win.

Further, with that historic win, Rafael Nadal overtook Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the man with the most Grand Slam singles titles. Currently, the Spaniard is on an 11-match winning streak and looks in great touch going into the clay-court season. He has consolidated the 5th position in ATP rankings and will aim to reclaim the top position.

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