Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 31, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the men’s singles final with trophy REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/Reuters
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 31, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the men’s singles final with trophy REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/Reuters
The final day of the opening Grand Slam of the season has been etched in history. Rafael Nadal became the first man to lift 21 Grand Slam titles in singles. He defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a mouth-watering encounter that lasted 5 hours and 24 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena. Further, by doing so, he overtook Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the race for most Grand Slam titles.
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After his historic achievement, social media was buzzing with praises for the Spaniard. People hailed his comeback effort to claim his second Australian Open title. Following his victory, Nadal was asked about the ‘Big 3’ comprising himself, Roger Federer. and Novak Djokovic.
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Rafael Nadal makes an interesting revelation about the ‘Big Three’ in tennis
The Spaniard was interviewed after claiming the Australian Open 2022 title. The journalist asked Nadal that many people follow tennis because of himself, Federer, and Djokovic; what would be the impact of their retirement on the circuit?
The 21-time Grand Slam champion replied, “What has happened all my life, that tennis continues. There is no player that is more important than the sport itself. No player, not even on the women’s circuit, not Djokovic, not me, not anyone else, is more important than the sport itself.”
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INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 15: Roger Federer of Switzerland shakes hands at the net after his straight sets victory against Rafael Nadal of Spain in their fourth round match during day ten of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2017 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Further, he added, “At the end of each year there are four Grand Slam champions and nine Masters 1,000 champions and other tournaments. And that will continue to be the case whether we are there or not. With which, tennis will be in good hands.”
(Quotes have been translated using Google Translate)
The Spaniard on being a part of the ‘Big Three’
Nadal felt that the contribution of the three had been immense to tennis but the game would continue without them. He acknowledged the uniqueness of what these three athletes have achieved and said that it might not be repeated for a long time. However, Rafa was certain that “tennis will continue and other champions will come.”
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 31, 2022. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Nadal will aim to recover quickly from the grueling Australian Open 2022 campaign. He is likely to feature next at Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco, Mexico.
