35-year-old Rafael Nadal became the third-oldest male player to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era with his Australian Open 2022 victory. Moreover, the living legend from Spain finally surpassed longtime rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in all-time Grand Slam titles won.

With an awe-inspiring uphill climb against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, Nadal overcame a 2-set deficit to lift the title Down Under.

Nevertheless, for all the work that he put in over the course of 5 hours and 24 minutes, Rafael Nadal immediately went back to the stationary bicycle to put in more work. Here is what his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal had to say about it.

Rafael Nadal hit the gym right after his Grand Slam victory

Right after his victory, Rafael Nadal went to the gym and hopped onto the stationary bike. During this process of active rest, Rafa got down to greet tennis legend Rod Laver, who was there to congratulate the Spaniard.

Rafa’s former coach and uncle Toni Nadal talked about that moment in particular, in an interview with Movistar. “We see that he immediately got on a stationary bike and only got off to greet Rod Laver,” Toni said. “That is discipline, and the rest is nonsense,” the Director of the Rafa Nadal Academy said.

Calling Rod Laver a great athlete, Toni Nadal stated that “one has to have the utmost respect for people who precede them in age.” Thus, he hopes that in the future, “people who play tennis will have a certain respect for my nephew (Rafael Nadal).”

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Uncle Toni appreciated the fact that Rafa paid due respect to Rod Laver, and had “the respect that a personality like Rod Laver deserves”. Moreover, he also mentioned that it was quite necessary for Rafa to get onto the bike in the gym.

Nadal’s historic win for the ages

When Russia’s Daniil Medvedev went up two sets against the Spaniard in the Australian Open final, many believed that the writing was already on the wall. In fact, Rafa himself had never come back to win a match from two sets down since 2007.

This was Rafa’s second Australian Open title. Thus, he became the only person apart from World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to win each Grand Slam at least twice in the Open Era. Prior to the Australian Open, Nadal had been tied with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at 20 major titles each.

However, Rafa now has become the sole record holder of the most Grand Slam title won by a men’s singles player. Undoubtedly, he stands alone on the top of the mountain- a mountain he has climbed amidst great obstacles and difficulties.

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