‘He Just Swallowed and Swallowed Everything’ – Andrey Rublev Hails Rafael Nadal’s Unparalleled Mental Strength

Rafael Nadal has a lot of records to write home about. He is the first person ever in the ATP Tour to win 21 grand slams. He also holds the record to win a single major the most number of times.

His win at the Australian Open was historic not only because of its significance but also for how intense it was. World No. 6 Andrey Rublev opened up about that final and how it was a performance like never before. The Russian star also sang praises about Nadal’s never say never attitude.

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Rafael Nadal made an epic comeback at the 2022 Australian Open final

Rublev said that it was extremely impressive that Nadal could turn the match around given that he did not have the right momentum from the start. Nadal is known for his fighter mentality, especially because he never lets go of a point however minor it might be. Daniil Medvedev took the first two sets of the final at the Australian Open.

With the World No. 1 ranking on the line, Medvedev seemed to be in control of the match-winning the first two sets and also having a break in the third. When fans were almost certain that this was going to be Medvedev’s second Grand Slam title, Rafael Nadal came in like the ‘raging bull’. He won the next three straights to secure a 2-6 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 historic win.

“Daniil had opportunities in the third set at 0-40. He just swallowed and swallowed everything, not one word of complaint. In the end, he was leading, serving for the match but couldn’t make it. Not one word of complaint. Then he won it! I have never seen something like this in my life,” Andrey Rublev reflected.

This win was all the more surprising because Rafael Nadal had not played more than half of the latter part of 2021as he underwent a surgery and was rehabilitating himself.

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