Good things tend to happen when Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal take the court on opposite sides of the net.
And that is exactly what can be expected when they do so once again on Sunday night amidst the highest-possible stakes in the final of the Australian Open.
Quite memorably, they have been on a similar stage once before. The 2019 U.S. Open final between Nadal and Medvedev is without question one of the best matches of the last decade, with the Spaniard triumphing 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 after four hours and 51 minutes. Two encounters since have also been high-quality thrillers. Nadal prevailed 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(4) at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals despite trailing 5-1 in the third set, while Medvedev got the best of this matchup for the first time in his career by winning 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 in the semis of the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals. Overall, Nadal leads the head-to-head series 3-1–including 2-0 on outdoor hard courts.
That certainly doesn’t make Medvedev the underdog in this particular match. In fact, he has been the overall tournament favorite ever since Novak Djokovic was deported out of Australia. Although the world No. 2 unsurprisingly made his way through to the final, it wasn’t easy. He battled through four tight sets against Maxime Cressy in the fourth round, saved a match point in an incredible 6-7(4), 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, and then pulled away from Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 following three wildly entertaining sets on Friday night.
Nadal’s most significant scare also came in the quarters, when he was less than 100 percent physically but managed to hold off Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 after four hours and eight minutes. Another mid-match hiccup against Matteo Berrettini was more brief, as Nadal advanced to the final via a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 decision on Friday afternoon.
“For me it’s something completely unexpected,” the 35-year-old said of being back in an Australian Open final for the sixth time, which has come on the heels of a foot injury and also a case of Covid-19. “So I am super happy. Everybody knows me; [I’m] always gonna try my best. Of course my goal now is to win.”
Winning won’t be easy against an opponent who is currently the toughest test other than Djokovic for pretty much every player on tour–at least on hard courts. Medvedev is the reigning U.S. Open champion, the 2021 Aussie Open runner-up (to Djokovic), and he will become No. 1 in the world in February when Djokovic’s 2021 title points come off the board if he triumphs on Sunday.
“It’s really tough to get into [a slam] final, and I always have [the Big 3] there waiting for me,” Medvedev noted. “But it’s fun, you know. When I was like eight, 10 years old I was playing against the wall and I was imagining that it’s Rafa on the other side, or Roger.
“Now I have the chance to play (a) second time (against Nadal in a major final). First one was a close one; epic one. I’m gonna try to prepare well and need to show my best, because that’s what I took from the three finals that I had before: that you have to do better than 100 percent in order to win. That’s what I managed to do in (the 2021) U.S. Open; that’s what I’m gonna try to do on Sunday.”
The Russian should be able to do it. At this point in their careers, with Medvedev at 25 years old and Nadal at 35, it’s a favorable matchup for the younger guy. His world-class two-handed backhand can withstand the left-hander’s heavy topspin, his serve can overpower Nadal’s return, and he can better handle the rigors of a five-setter.
Nadal would probably have to win this one in relatively swift fashion if he wants to make history with a double-career Grand Slam and major title No. 21. Given Medvedev’s form at the moment, that isn’t likely to happen.
Pick: Medvedev in 5
WHO YA GOT?
Medvadev in 4
Looking at the h2h, and the only Medvedev’s win was a 3 setter in an indoor hard court I believe Nadal has the edge here and if you believe Medvedev is going to win please prepare yourself for a big surprise. Nadal in 4.
I have neutral expectations on the outcome, similiar to 2019.. In 2012, I was very confident that Nadal would win after watching his Qtr/Semi matches.. In 2014, he was outright favourite. In 2017, he was better bet than Fed.. All were heartbreaking results. In 2019, I didn’t expect him to win. This time he has 40% chance, lets see how it unfolds.
Medvedev is all over the place and doesn’t give any easy points. Even 2 set lead and up a break in 3rd would not be safer.
First of all, Medvedev has a long way to match Novax’ level of tennis. He has most of the ingredients but he’s just not there and probably he never will be. He’s never going to match Djoker’s flexibility nor his mental toughness. Sure, he did beat Novax at USO but let’s not forget that the Serbian was under immense pressure and also running on fumes. Not to mention that for some reason USO seems Daniil’s best GS and Novax’ one of the weakest.
That being said, obviously Med can beat Rafa on Sunday, but this just might be easier said than done.
It’s world class serve, FH and BH plus youth versus one of the best tennis minds of all times, all possible and impossible shots, experience and true grit.
Rafa was at his best just twice in an AO final. He won the first one and he almost beat a prime Djokovic in the second one. If it wasn’t for Nadal’s age and physical issues, Daniil would be no match for an in-form Rafa, even on HC.
The truth is that nobody can predict the level of tennis that Nadal can produce on Sunday. Also this time Medvedev is under pressure as well (considered the favourite, playing for no.1) so let’s see how he copes with that.
So, Rafa in 4. He just needs to avoid bad luck and bring his best tennis.
Agreed, well said! Rafa wins in four sets!
Also feel that prime Rafa > prime Meddy on any surface, when he is able to beat a prime Fed or a prime Djoko on the HCs, their best surface.
But Nadal isnt prime – he’s not going to win like in 2009 when he outlasted Fed.
Meddy is only reaching his prime .
True, but Rafa didn’t really have a HC game back then, he was just fast enough to play a claycourt game on any surface. His game is no longer based on outlasting the opponent, he got much more effective on HC. He outplayed Med in their USO final and I think that he can do that once again. I don’t think that Daniil really plays better now than back then, he just has more experience – but also much more pressure.
There’s no pressure because he expects to be in many more finals and has his whole career ahead of him. He knows that getting the #1 ranking is a formality and just a matter of time, as well.
All the pressure is on Nadal because he knows these opportunities are few and far between at this stage of his career and Djokovic has the advantage in that department.
I disagree, there’s been no signs of nerves from Medvedev. He’s probably the most relaxed player on the tour.
I disgree that Medvedev is not on Djokovic’s level also. They have been on the same level on hard courts for the past 20 odd matches.
So, this will be a similar scenario to playing Novak for Nadal except that Nadal will probably like his chances a bit more, due to the H2H which is significant because Nadal has lost many matches against Djokovic before he walks on the court.
All of that translates into a competitive final but with Medvedev having a clear edge.
Christian, I tend to concur with you.I have been betting against Rafa for years now even at FO!! I don’t like to make predictions but this time I am not betting against him. Rafa more often than not comes out strong in a final. Barring injury or bad luck I can’t see y he can’t pull of the win. He knows how to beat Medvedev and just like Barrty, he has perfected his strategy playing his opponents in this AO and came out on top. Rafa has nothing to lose in this final, this is his 6th trip there and I believe he will do everything in his power to win this one especially when he considers all the heartbreaks he has endured on this court.I think his will to win gives him the edge here, and sometimes in tennis that is all it takes! I wanted Barty to win the AO this year and she did, in style, and likewise I want Rafa to win this trophy, no matter how ugly!!!! Considering the circumstances, Rafa did well to get to the final as no one expected him to, so if he wins it truly would be one of the best wins of his career, no asterisk!!!
Vamos Rafa!! Go make more history!!!
PS: Novak should be glad if Rafa wins, at least he gets to keep his #1 ranking 😜
Should be a thriller, but I’ll take Med in 4.
Good luck Rafa! Go for history. Utilise those drop shots and those volleys and you can do it!
Margot, I can’t wait to see what strategy Rafa employs!! Considering how FAA took the wheels from under Medvedev in the first two sets and a half, it will be very interesting!!
Is Rafa thinking for retiring? In his pressor he sounds like he’s saying goodbye 🙃
No he said he thought about it last year as foot was not recovering I don’t think right now it’s in his mind he says he feels alive again
doubt it
Medvedev in 4 is my selection.
Yeah, u and just about anybody and their cat is predicting that!! Sigh!
Me? Just hoping for a great match and may the beat man win!! Vamos!!
That’s a first!
The key is Rafa”s new big serve! Remember Rafa beating Novak in USO final 2013? Rafa served amazingly and even the GOAT of return game Novak was not able to neutralize it! If Rafa can reproduce the same serve he displayed in this AO in many occasions and if he does it with continuity he will sure capitalize on it!
I hope Rafa and his team make a wise tactical approach in this match! My thinking is: avoid long rallies with Medvedev! This guy can chase every ball and in fact he fancies such game! So Rafa should not indulge him with long energy consuming points! Rafa has some technical advantages over Med and he is an experienced beast! I ecpect Med to have his temper outbursts and put the pressure on the umpire, hope he burns mentally because the way he behaved towards umpire in the SF he deserved to be sanctioned and not get away with it!
Vamos Rafa!
He got sanctioned 12000 aud
Yeah, I know, still not sufficient IMO! One just shall not be allowed to use such disrespectful language with an umpire! Vulgar and barbaric behavior should be sanctioned in a way that they never ever wish to repeat it! Djokovic was sent hom for hitting the line judge unintentionally (the decision of USO which I fully supported and was right to do) but this guy who actually threatened the umpire and yelled at him like he was going to hit him just got 12,000 fine! No way! He should have been sanctioned with higher fine or something more to learn to control his bad temper and to know once for all how to behave on court! Tennis is noble sport and the incidents like this are bad for its reputation!
Also double standards because the incident would have been viewed very differently if a woman did it. Imagine how this would have been reported in the press if any player in the WTA had shouted at an umpire in the way Med did. Also, there is a very good chance that the umpire would have responded very differently if a woman said the same things!
Certainly! Good point, amy! We all promote gender equality but the treatment and the expectations still vastly differ! Men are allowed barbaric behavior and we all know how youngsters look up to these players! Such a shame..
Many of us here admired Nick K. tennis talent but his on court behavior put a shade on it..
Did you see the terrible reports last Autumn of NK’s social media convo with his girlfriend Natashao? He boasts about sleeping with strippers, calls her toxic, and suggests she commits suicide.
Now what would be said if a woman said this to a man?!
Honestly after reading this I can’t stand the sight of NK but he is a huge celebrity and star in Oz.
The double standards are appalling..!
Yes!! They need to learn how the sport is played!! It’s not solely about skill but also about sportsmanship and misbehaving like that should be sanctioned with zero tolerance like having them forfeit the game!!
As for my thoughts on the final, I reckon that Rafa will be tactically prepared and execute to the best that he is capable. If it’s still not enough then I’ll still be proud that he got to this point and I shall concede that a second AO is not lined up in the cards for him, but it was not thorough a lack of trying. Good luck Rafa, and Vamos!!! #21 is beckoning!!
Well said Mona!😀
I am incredibly proud of what he has done in getting to the final! If he wins it’s jam but it’s not the be all and end all for Rafa and nor is it for me..
He will have other chances this year..😀😀
I did not know about Med going aggressively the chair umpire. Another reason gif me to dislike him. Someone on VB was talking about Med and his attitude and behavior on the court. She said she thinks he is a psychopath! I don’t know about that, but people have taken note of his disgusting behavior.
Serena Williams was taken to task when she went after a linesperson and chair umpires. There was no sympathy for her. Double standard is right! There is no excuse for Med behaving that way, I detest it.
Another reason FOR me to dislike Med.
Yes but everyone knows Serena is a lot more selfish than most else so it was viewed differently.
Medvedev wasn’t doing it because he’s a selfish little brat.
Put simply, the context of her outburst was different.
Yes, his big new serve at 35! Makes a lot of sense.
If you are able to read you would notice that I said this big serve originated from 2013, but Rafa experienced some back issues as a consequence and did not use it as much! I saw some of it this year and I hope he uses it more…anyway, just hope Rafa can find his best serve..
On a different note, I enjoyed watching the women finals and the men”s doubles match! Great win for Barty she really dominated at this AO!
Also, great to see Kyrgios and Kokk wining the title! So fun to watch!
Oh great for Kyrios and Barty!! The AO was great for Aussies this year!! Yeah, I really wanted Barty to win and she gave such a great performance this year. I wish her the best for the rest of the season!!
It’s great for the Aussies every year. Life is great in this part of the world.
Rafa not timing his backhand well at the moment. I can sew he is trying to vary the pace but needs to go for more on the forehand and FIND FIRST SERVES
Rafa’s level not up to how he’s played in the previous rounds.
Vamos!
Rafa’s serve is not on today, giving Med too much look on his serve.
Rafa hitting with more authority in this first game. Gosh Med’s counterpunching/defense is insane.
Come on! It’s definitely not an unsolvable problem. I hope he is able to find better serves.
Rafa being out-rallied and out-served.. only thing to hope for is to medvedev to go walk-about
Wow, Medvedev came to play!! Rafa can’t do baseline with Medvedev!! Disaster!! Even S&V would reap more rewards!
I expected Rafa to go for shorter points but he doesn’t seem to have his mojo today.
I guess he hasn’t found a way to do so yet but at least Rafa has not given up on himself! He IS trying and is staying in the points!
Medvedev is clearly a baseline player. Fed or Murray would punish him with their guile!
Rafa needs to serve well and use drop shots more. He just needs to relax and play the game he knows he should! Yes!!!S&V, right there!!
I think Rafa’s got great variation in his play today. Mixing up the pace and trajectory extremely well. Hasn’t had his way often enough with the big finish shots but that’s also due to Med’s defense.
The problem that remains is: FIRST SERVE
Hope Medvedev’s level drops.
Definitely winning more points on serve only because of hitting bigger and better from the baseline. The Rafa serve is MIA.
Rafa has NOT made an unforced errors in the last 3 games. Med has made some errors and Rafa now has the upper hand AND HERE COMES THE SERVE & VOLLEY! vamosss
Even with 44% first serves in, Rafa is leading 4-1.
@ricky, am I missing a trick here or do I need to type my username and email every time I post?
VR, I had thatproblem for a long long time then I opened one of the Grandstand email notifications and it seems to work.
I’ll try that! thanks
See, calm down and then solve the problem! Rafa trying to serve big hence the missing first serves. He has to make Meddy run, and serves his second serves letting them bounce low so that Meddy will hit them into the net!
I hope Rafa wins this second set and then it’s game on! Come on Rafa! Vamos!
Sigh, Rafa’s serve is letting him down again! Another poor service game to lose serve!
A must win set for Nadal
Meddy playing like djoko .. hardly any unforced and constantly pressuring the rafa serve.. not afraid to go bh to fh
I swear we’ll be talking about set 3 if Rafa’s serve were up to the mark. I SWEAR
BEAUTIFUL use the backhand slice! break point! GET IT
Rafa needs a hold to take the second.. will be pleasantly surprised if he manages to hold
Medvedev does not like slice, If Rafa can win this set I feel he may open his wings more and play more aggressive!! He just needs to HOLD!! His serves need to come back to town!!
But I have to say, Rafa is NOT giving up on himself here!! I really really love that!! He is doing all he can! Just HOLD Rafa!!
Sad how his first serves r betraying him in this match, of ALL matches!!
VAMOSSSSSSSSSS!
HOW MUCH difference does a good first serve make! COME ONN
What amazing variation from the baseline. Those forehand drop shots were so sweetly timed!
Words fail me!
Vamos Rafa!
Meddy not even letting Rafa steal a set like djoko
It’s not Medvedev, it’s ALL Rafa by himself!! Can’t watch anymore! Too frustrating!!! Rafa needs to pump himself up, get into the match!! To think Felix almost beat Medvedev and Rafa can’t even serve out a set?!! Cmon!!
So sad, Rafa loses serve yet again! Why? Why is he not making his first serves? Too nervous?
I’m beginning to get really disappointed in Rafa’s serving performance!! He should have won this set already! No chance now!! Anyway, Vamos Rafa!!
Rafa is making all kinds of errors, it’s so hard to watch! Where’s his FH DTL shots? Why always going CC? He can’t even string two good serves together!
Please hold serve here, if not you are done! Vamos Rafa, don’t give up!!
Has rafa had a 40-0 or a 40-15 service game yet
Every game seems to have gone a deuce and ones that havent he has gotten broken
Rafa needs a kevin anderson type guy in the final to win an Ao. He somehow manages to run into an inspired guy at the ao
Lol
vmk, I think he’s dealing with the Med challenge just about fine. The crazy thing has been his first serve! Can’t seem to dig himself out of that hole.
He holds but having to expend so much energy to hold. Just because he can’t find his first serve and you can see it is causing frustration. It is obvious in his body language right after he misses them. He is fighting out there and I think has had the upper hand from the baseline. I DON’T WANT A TIE BREAK
All I can say is, today is not Rafa’s day. His serve that has seen him through 6 rounds his deserting him today.
Vamos Rafa!
Will be very surprised rafa wins the tb… meddy has to severely underperform and throw some dfs
30-30 and look what Med does, two big serves and game over in 30 seconds.
Tie break. Rafa’s gonna lose this isn’t he? 🙁
Rafa is just not on the offensive.
Vamos!
Medvedev seems a bit complacent to me. Maybe he is conserving energy just in case it goes the distance.
It’s over! Rafa is not going to win 3 sets in a row.
Vamos!
I feel your pain
Rafa has not been in control of this match at any point. It’s not his day today. Bad day at the office.
Vamos!
Meddy out clutching out serving out rallying out dropshotting out staminaing rafa
Not much hope left unless meddy s back gives up on him
Rafa seemed sluggish from the start. Even his serve has deserted him and too many UEs.
Vamos Rafa!
Meddy is obviously the better player here; Rafa has himself to blame for serving poorly to lose serve when he should be winning the second set half an hour ago!
Meddy deserves the title here, and will be no. one in the world. He will be the first player outside of the big three and Murray to become number one player in the world!
I feel sorry for Rafa; his serve deserted him when he needed it most! Meddy looked a bit tired but Rafa wasn’t taking advantage in the second set and let a winnable set slipped away like that, regrettable!
What if Rafa wins 21 from 2 sets down and Melbourne gives him redemption for his four plates
Need meddy to help in a big way… come on meddy do a coria
Djoko won at rafas house from two sets down… come on Rafa .. vamos
No way to win a match with such poor first serve.. too bad that Rafa could not solve it…even with such lousy service he had HUGE chances to win this set and yet he failed..
Vamos Rafa!
yep, with his usual first serve (forget his peak level first serve), we’d be looking at one set all.
One of the most frustrating sets I’ve seen. He was in the lead THROUGHOUT THE set. Up a break twice, was serving for the set, was leading the tie break until 5-4. Apart from the first serve woes, he was just tentative at the net on 5-5 I think where he couldn’t put that forehand volley away.
To think that Rafa broke Med twice and still failed to win the set!
Vamos!
Rafa has bad luck at this AO!! Always one thing or another!! This set was so winnable and he threw it away!! If not injury it’s his serves!!! Who cursed Rafa at the AO? Sigh!
Sad to say Rafa showing his age here, not able to win a winnable set here. I doubt he’s able to go five sets here, Meddy is full of confidence by now.
Lol
Rafa lets Medvedev off so many times.
Vamos!
Rafa has no energy today.
Thank goodness for that one ao title in 2009
Has Rafa ever come from 2 sets down to win a match?
Against Peschner at Wimby?
3 times. Petzshner was 2 sets to 1 down.
I’ve watched Rafa for years and when he’s playing like this I know he’s definitely not gonna win!! This is not GS performance by his standards!!!
What is Rafa’s first serve %?
Rafa just gives away his chances all the time.
Vamos Rafa!
This is Medvedev’s best performance so far and Rafa’s worst.
Vamos!
Med isn’t even playing well
Exactly, it’s more of Rafa’s own undoing; should Rafa win the second set without playing the TB, we may have a match here. Now, it’s game over!
Med is playing at 150%.
this is the 2nd worst match Medvedev has played the whole tournament
All I ask for now, is for Rafa to win a set. At least makes the final score looks better than losing in straight sets. It’s not like Meddy is playing lights out tennis, he’s also making errors, it’s just that Rafa is playing poorer tennis than Meddy!
Same story. Rafa beats everybody up to the final then goes into a trance when he plays Djokovic.
Rafa is playing at 50% his best level.
Vamos!
What exactly is Rafa’s game plan here?
Vamos!
Looks like Auger Alliasime’s match point was the difference between rafa and the 2nd gs title
50 50 at best that he would have won the final
Yes, if only he had a few more favours.
I think Rafa is a bit under the weather, if you ask me. He doesn’t seem to have much energy and his concentration level is very low.
Vamos!
Rafa is one player who needs lots of match play before a slam, in order to have a chance to win; he’s good enough to beat players before the final but facing the other finalist across the net, well that’s another story, because the other guy is also playing well to reach the final.
It’s just an illusion, that he is playing well enough to win the final when he reaches it; 2019 is a good example, now this one too! The other guy across the net exposes his weaknesses when it matters.
Australian Open final protest: police intercept man with banner reading ‘Abolish refugee detention’
Police intercepted a man with a banner reading ‘Abolish refugee detention’ during the Australian Open men’s final between Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal. The incident, which happened in the second set, saw both players surrounded by security as the intruder was apprehended and removed from Rod Laver Arena. Both players were unharmed.
Medvedev is just cruising. He hasnt had to find anywhere near his best yet.
yep. Rough match all around.
For fs, hope rafa does not re-injure himself fighting this uphill battle
I loaded up on 3-0 Medvedev after winning the 2nd set.
with a hedge on 3-1
Meddy just has to hold serve and wait for Rafa to serve poorly to break serve. He’s almost there now.
For all his serving woes, rafa has npt served a double yet i think
he served a lot in the first set
Rafa is playing at 30% his normal level.
Right from the beginning, Rafa’s energy level wasn’t there.
If not for Rafa’s serving woes, we may have a good match here. No one could foresee Rafa serving so poorly in the final! Don’t understand why, perhaps going for too much because Meddy is a better returner of serves than all his previous opponents?
Rafa gives Med the opportunity to pull the trigger all the time. Rafa was the better player through the 6 rounds.
Med is literally looping in 2nd serves, knowing Rafa is do deep. Rafa’s done a good job returning those with depth and angle but given the state of the match, he needs to step up now and give Med a different look. Med is literally getting away with 130-140 kph serves again and again.
FYI first serve is up at 79% in set 3
Rafa very much looks like he believes he can do this. I think this is because he knew he let set 2 slip away and that he can control the proceedings if he fixes his serving woes even by 15-20%
Dont give him a sniff Medvedev
Why don’t you just get lost. You are a troll.
Medvedev lost his bearings in that service game.
That wasnt #1 player in the world quality there. More like a weekend hack.
I would not bet mu house on rafa holding here
Alright now Rafa, go win the set! At least make it more competitive! Vamos Rafa!
Now effing hold rafa!
CAN HE CLOSE THIS OUT?
Good question!
Come on Rafa! Just do it!
Nadal is looking full of energy
Omfg… Rafa.. where did u find that gear from winners galore
Yes vamos! Rafa wins the third set!
Vamoooosssss! Fight for it, Rafa! 💪💪
Vamos!
The truth is, however crap he may have been he should be leading 2 sets to one!
Exactly.
BY far the highest quality set. Rafa’s serve is BACK (82% 1st serves in!!!). He bullied Med from the baseline in those last two games.
The crowd is also getting to Med’s nerves now.
VAMOS! GLADIATOR
Can anonymous ‘ posts all go straight to the junk folder Ricky?
Asking for a friend…
Medvedev has gone the wrong way 90% of the time in this match. He really hasnt been in a zone.
Glad he at least won a set! Happy for that considering he should have won second set as well. I thought this match would have been over by now the way Rafa looked! But at least he’s still fighting. I still can’t watch though….,..my heart can’t take it, literally!
Nothing like the USO. In that match he couldnt do wrong.
Oh my! Rafans, can we hope?
A little hope is a dangerous thing!
Come on Rafa. Start hitting the fhdtl.
Vamossssssssssssss!
Now hold! Just get the first serve in and don’t df!
Nadal sensed Medvedev’s complacency
Needs to put some daylight here.. one hold and med may check out of set 4.. of course rafa will take us through his deucr patterns
Rafa went into that zone where you dont feel the physicality anymore and your body goes into auto mode.
The tension and arm wrestle of the first set and a bit took more out of him than the 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
FFS! He has to improve his serve!
Now break Med!
The temperature has dropped and my guess is that has helped Nadal
Come on Rafa!do it!
I want to see numerous fhdtl winners Rafa!
Rafa is doing everything to throw this match away!! Everything!!! Such a winnable match!! Cmon!!
Every time I watch I get angry!!
Medvedev should’ve gone for the jugular after winning that 2nd set TB.
Just fucking do it Rafa!
Rafa channeling his inner djoko energy to cream those bh dtl.. and bh as a rockhold now bc
Please please God can be start serving really well and close out this set!
Amy!!! I do not freaking like early breaks esp when Rafa can’t seem to consolidate!! It’s freaking frustrating!! Why is Rafa so he’ll bent on doing things the hard way!! Oh gosh, is he senile?!!
He is fighting damn hard mona! Please God let him start getting free points on serve!
Medvedev’s in big trouble here.
Oh how I WISH!! If Rafa wins the fourth I”ll dance the jiggy jig!!
Wish Rafa would break a second time!! Insurance break would be nice!!
with only 35% first serves in play this set, Rafa is still leading 4-2. DOMINATING from the baseline.
Does anyone believe Rafa can hold two games?
He effing has to! He has to put all his energy into serving. Stop trying to be too cute on serve. Just do the basics really well.
Come on Rafa get your first serve in! Don’t go for too much!
Yesss! Now break Meddy!
Oh fuck! This makes uso 2019 seem like taking a warm bath
Now there’s the nightmare for Rafa to serve this shit out!! If he does that, it will be epic!!
Come on Rafa. First serve in.Free points on serve!
Yessd! We are going 5!
Rafa thinking “what djokovic would do,no?” On those backhands
Oh my gosh he did it!! Oh my gosh!! Vamos, Rafa!! 😂
Yes Rafa! Now we have a match! Vamos!
Vamooooooossss Rafa! Never surrender! Keep fighting! 💪💪💪
If Rafa had won the second set Which he should have done he would have already won the match!
When did Rafa do anything easy way?
Vamos Rafa!
That’s true! Please let him start serving well!
Yeah but he just haven’t found his groove yet but let’s c what happens in the fifth!!
Gosh, Med is serving first!! Dang!
Love him or hate him, this is what a champion looks like. I have never seen a player with this much heart.
Well.said Cheryl!!😀
One more set.
Vamos!
For the millionth time!
Please let Rafa stArt serving well!
Love hold for Rafa!
Much easier for Med to serve first.
Oh fuck! This is where things start going south for Rafa in an ao final.. up a break in the fifth😔
Yesss! Now hold!
OH MY GOD! WOW!
JUST HOLD YOUR SERVE RAFA! I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS.
hold forever
YES PLEASE
Vamosss Rafa! 💪💪💪💪💪🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Come on Rafa. Great serving from now on.
What a hold. Now break Med again!
No way Rafa holds two games in a row
Seriously vmk1?!
Surely Rafa cant break meddy here
One game from the title. Break Meddy now!
Come on Rafa. All.first serves. Play a great game.
Rafa… the pressure on this service game… meddy please help him out… you will have your chances later
Is that the furthest Rafa has gotten at the AO except for in 2009?! Actually serving for match? Have we ever seen this before?
Think we all needs to pray during this game!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Love how composed Rafa is though!
ffs!
This is bad!! Very bad!! Chance wasted!! So sad! So sad!
Rafa’s dfs are routinely a disaster for him.
Rafa”s serves let him down at the worst times!! That df!!! Gash!!
not at the very end!
Oh my God!
Now no fucking dfs!
I’m crying! Come on Rafa! Please win this!
All first serves. No dfs!
Oh my gosh!! Serving for it AGAIN?! Can’t take it, no way!!
Don’t give him a sniff, Rafa.
Vamos!
Oh my God!!!
Is this Rafa’s greatest ever victory!
Ohhhh behenchoooood we brought ith ome
hahahahahahahahahahahq YES BC!!!!
Vamos!Vamos!Vamos!Vamos!Vamos!Vamos!
I would never have believed Rafa could win 7-5 in the fifth!
What a warrior! What a great great champion!
I’m crying! OMG, Rafa wins the title!!
Thank God Rafa won’t suffer another heartbreak here! I’m so very very happy for Rafa!
Oh my God!! What an epic match!! VAMOS
Look suffering!! I can’t breathe!!!
#21
Double career slam!
From someone who 2 months ago thought he might never play again!
The guy is beyond great. He is an icon.
So much heart, Rafa! I love you so much! What a warrior!
Where’s that troll anonymous now Rafa has won!
OH. MY. GOD!
Can you believe this?!?!?
Congrats to all the Rafans, here and everywhere!!!
(This only happens in dreams and fairytales, right? Am I really awake?)
Rafa is the first player in the Open era to come back.from 2 sets down to win the AO.
Unbelievable!
Ppl I can’t breathe!!! I can’t breathe!! I can’t breathe!!
Vamos Champ!!! 💪🥰💪🥰🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
So proud of you, Rafa!!!
We love you tennis genius!
Vaaammmmooooossss!
Wow.. rafa is now officially and finally past roger… i have been rooting for that to happen since 2006…
rafa leads the gs tally😃
I am crying like a baby. Oh my God. Thank you Rafa. Thank you so much. You have blessed me forever. I can’t believe what I saw. Rafa is the GOAT, period!
Vamos Rafaaaaa!!!!!!! No matter what!
Hey all Rafans! He did it!!!!!
Flood of tears for me!
Love ya Champ! VAMOOOOOOOOS!!!!!
#BE21EVE
REPLY
Love that Hawkeye!! U r so right!! BE21EVE!! 😄
Can you imagine if all places for Rafa to win this is at AO? After all the heartbreak?!! This is impossible to believe!!
I can’t imagine what all the experts r saying now!! Can’t wait to hear what they have to say!! Everyone had Medvedev”s hands on this cup!! Rafa always goes against the odds!!
Vamos!!
rafa is the best……
So pleased for Rafa and all his lovely fans. Never, never write him off! Such an interesting match, so full of ebbs and flows, fantastic rallies, mighty serving.
Glad he took my advice on how to win too…;)
Go get RG now!
Shame on me I didn’t believe enough and I couldn’t watch till the end, but it was self preservation bcoz my heart was suffering too much!! My 50 yr old heart can’t handle these Rafa matches anymore! 🤣😂
Anyway, I do want to say that I have a renewed respect for Medvedev. His speech was quite classy!! I wish both he and Rafa a great season.
Now I can relax going forward. I don’t care what he wins from now on!! RG, Wimby, US? I don’t care!! I just always wanted another AO!!! So now I can watch him play with calm now!! Thank you Rafa, and VAMOS!!
I am so drained. I’ll write about details later.
VAMOSSSSS RAFA! HIGH TEN RAFA FANS!!!
This is the SWEETEST Rafa victory EVER! EVER!
GET IN LINE IF YOU SAID HE’LL NEVER WIN SLAMS OUTSIDE CLAY ANYMORE! Hahahaha
Behind the sofa stuff, or even from the bottom of the road! 😉
Unbelievable event!! Ash winning and Rafa winning is the best AO tourney for me EVER!! This win and Wimby 2008 has to be way up there as one of the best matches of all time!!! Vamos, Rafa!!
I’ll have a GREAT Sunday!! 😁😊
Who is the expert now? What about Medvedev is the best hard court player after Djokovic…..Nafal cannot do it at 35…no way he can win a 5 setter… is too old to compete…his 3 – 1 h2h does not mean anything. I knew the analyst were not objective. NNY and Nadline please note I keep on visiting this site because of you…congrats!
Rafa’s serves let him down for the most part while Medvedev”s fitness wained in the end! But Rafa was still able to pull it off!! What a champion!! 😄
This is his greatest achievement in a slam final.
Great win. Really a rollercoaster final but after all the heartbreaks probably Rafa deserved it. Ironically it happens exactly 10 years after 2012 final with Djoker.
Sets him nicely for RG. He will skip US summer and ranking points earned here and good performance in European swing can bring him back in top 4 since Zverev and Tsisi both have one Masters Series to defend.
What happened? I went to sleep! Is this a joke?
I just woke up!
Oh, NNY! You missed it?!
That was the most impressive thing I have ever witnessed on a tennis court.
The fact that he was able to shove the 2012 and 2017 demons aside after he dropped serve at 5-4 in the fifth reveals a brand of mental toughness that is very likely unprecedented in all of sports.
I feel a blog coming on. 🙂
Cheryl,
I fell asleep! I was so tired! Thinking he lost! Is it real?
I sm watching it now! I can’t stop crying!
Please write a blog!
I read the result on my iPhone and thought it was some kind of joke!
E kind of joke!
My God!
I can’t believe it! I am watching it now! Oh my God! I cannot believe it! I can’t stop crying!
Oh my God! Is this for real? Am I dreaming?
It is, without question, the greatest tennis win of all time. There are not enough superlatives for what Nadal just did in Melbourne.
Cheryl,
I csn’t write anything! I am crying too much. I tried to stay up.
I am hysterical.
Cheryl, please do write about it!😀
Big hug nny!! To win from 2 sets behind is unbelievable!
amy,
I tried to stay up. But at about 6:30 am I just konked out.
I woke up thinking he lost. Unbelievable! Now I can watch him do it.
He is one in a million!
I am on cloud nine! I never want to come down from this high.
Cheryl & Ricky, you should have a little bit more faith in Rafa. You got the number of sets right with the wrong winner.
@Cheryl,
Would love it if you can take NNY’s suggestion and blog about this incredible match!
For the record, Brad Gilbert and Darren Cahill both picked Rafa to win in 4. I don’t think anyone anywhere thought Rafa could win if it went 5!
Unbelievable! Yes, this is what legends are made of! And Anonymous the Troll can have all the asterisks the black hole he has in place of a heart desires! 🙂
Ramara,
The troll Anonymous crawled back under the rick he came from! It was bad enough to see Rafa losing so badly, but that disgusting creep’s garbage posts made it worse.
I am watching the match. It’s in the fourth round after Rafa won the third set. This is like a dream!
Spare a thought for meddy.. he almost did what rafa did herr at the us open and is at the receiving end of what he could have done at the uso 19 here..
still cant believe rafa after covid, leg surgery, 5 set almost destroyed against Shapo managed to do this against a form player from two sets down on his worst surface and slam at the age of 35.5 fighting his inner demons of giving up leads in the 5th set
Fairy tale stuff
Unbelievable. Unforgettable.
Yes fairy tale stuff, especially when his serve deserted him for almost three sets of the match.
I said it in one of my earlier posts, that I feel Meddy was not physically fresh, and it turned out to be true. He even couldn’t match a 35 year old Rafa in terms of physical fitness. He was feeling agitated during the SF with Tsitsipas, and looking at it, it’s the physical exertion that made him felt agitated (because he had a long match vs FAA and also Cressy).
He’s no doubt a fit guy but he’s been playing so many matches last year right through the WTF and the Davis Cup going deep in almost all of those events played. He also played the ATP Cup before coming to the AO, and I felt no matter how fit he was, the long matches here plus the heat would be draining for the body.
Rafa OTOH was of course not playing matches when he was recovering from his foot issue, so he was resting his body in that sense. No doubt the heat at the AO was bothering him too but he was able to recover quickly. I also felt that Rafa had paced himself nicely in his matches prior to the final, not over exerting himself except for the QF match.
Had Rafa served better, he could have won the final in four sets. However, we are not complaining now that he has won, and in such a dramatic fashion.
I think too Rafa was incredibly calm, not fist pumping and celebrating as much bcoz he tried to conserve the energy so much that when he won he didn’t even fall to the floor as usual, just dropped racket. He didn’t even seem so spent after match, the adrenaline was flowing!! I loved how he served to win at love.
Novak and Roger congratulated him afterwards which i found was very classy!
Melbourne had been unbelievably cruel to Rafa. What an unbelievably sweet victory to act as an analgesic for all the scars! AO can be called the happy slam again😀
Just hope this is where the parallels with the 2009 season ends and Rafa stays healthy and competitive for the rest of the season
Vamoos!
I hope Rafa doesn’t play too soon or too much after this. RG is his next big goal.
Thinking Novax will be absolutely obsessed with the desire to beat him there after what has happened here…
Bet he is gnashing his teeth!
Fed immediately sent a wonderful message of congrats. Has Novax sent one?!
OK fair enough I just saw he has congratulated Ash and Rafa!
This has been an absolutely extraordinary tournament with Ash and Rafa winning. Unbelievable scenes both yesterday and today. I can’t remember another GS like it.
Rafa is the first player in the Open era to come back from 2 sets down here and win…
This makes up for so much heartache at this slam! It is the sweetest win of all! Now I can watch how Rafa did it.
The man is just a warrior. Never gave up!
The crowd was absolutely unreal! They were with Rafa all the way!
Where is Sanju? He must be over the moon!
yes! congrattsss NNY. Crowd was amazing
I am here NNY…I have a lot to say for now I have ordered special mutton (goat ) biryani and am feasting on it as a celebration …
Congrats to all Rafans and Rafa I love you ..God bless you
Sanju can i have some? Lol!!
Medvedev has managed to ingratiate himself upon me. He was so gracious in his speech and was a good sport overall. I wish him the best for the rest of the season. I liked how Rafa told him that he knows exactly how he feels given all the heartbreaks he has had on this court. But Medvedev will obviously win more slams as he still young.
Can you believe that after 124 players in the field Rafa was the eventual winner all along?! I would not believe it two weeks ago!! I was watching this Youtube analyst, Gil, and he and two others were discussing the match two days ago and they were convinced that Med would win except for this one analyst who said she knows that on paper Medvedev is the favourite but her heart says Rafa bcoz there is something about Rafa that really stops you from counting him out, and she is right. Rafa has this brave heart quality you will never ever find in any other tennis player, not now or EVER!
This is the greatest win of his career. Absolutely no doubt. Wimbledon 2008 was incredible but the hurdles he’s overcome to win this one and the circumstances, this one is in a league of its own.
Rafa becomes
-the first man to win 21 majors in the open era
-the first man in the open era to win an AO final from 2 sets down
-The fourth man to win all four majors at least twice
Everyone reading my posts knows I have been very optimistic about his chances to win AO once he reached the 4th round. Today, though, when he was down 2 sets to love, even I was sure he was going to lose. I knew he’d mount a fight in set 3 and maybe win it but no way he is winning this match. The guy goes from 2-3 0-40in set 3 down to winning in in 7-5 in the fifth. Did he just also physically outlast probably the fittest next gen player out there?! His mind can conquer just about anything!
Still struggling to find the right words. I am also glad the patterns of the match went so much like I had mind 😀 I KNEW Rafa was going to use the slice as an offensive weapon the way he did. He used that shot BRILLIANTLY. I knew he was going to attempt S&V but his serve deserted him. You could see on the deuce court he missed some serves to Med’s forehand but was charging to the net for a volley. Tactically, this was perfection from Nadal. When Med got too much rhythm he started using forehand drop shots! He didn’t need to step in on the second serve as he was getting great length from deep behind.
So much variation, so much guile, so much tenacity and TOO much class.
The Gladiator is BACK.
Hard luck to Medvedev. He is one tough nut to crack! Human wall.
Still shaking my head on how Rafa managed to get more breaks than a server of medvedev’s pedigree while being in trouble on every service game of his own.. his 6-5 game was probably one of the most straighforward games on his serve.
It just feels so absurd considering he was losing to Harris not too long ago and has barely played recently. To beat the young gen like ahapovalov berretini khachanov and a medvedev in the peak of his career while himself being in the twilight on his least preferred surface.
This slam will be remembered for ages. 5 hrs 24 mins.. getting broken serving for the match and breaking straight back while not even having a sit down to compose himself..
rafa- you legend
This match will be studied for generations to come bcoz it included all levels of tennis lessons w.r.t skill, strategy and guile. Rafa surely has amassed a treasure trove material for his archives in his academy!
How lucky has Marc Lopez’s addition to the team been? haha. Bravo, team Rafa!
My thought too! Marc and Rafa have been each other’s lucky charms since 2009! What a beautiful friendship! Brilliant move by Moya to ask Marc to join Rafa’s team. I expect we can also give Moya a lot of credit for Rafa’s new tactics. Speaking of coaches, I expect Rafa’s old coach is over the moon about this win! Not to mention a couple of (not so) “small cousins”!
Rafa starts the year with 2,250 points. Novak has zero and Med at 1,495. This is a significant lead for Rafa since he is very likely to amass loads of points on clay. I think he can get to no.1 again. Maybe not year-end no.1 but reach it during the year. I don’t know how much he’ll play but he surely has a shot at it.
Maybe. I really think Rafa has to somehow play fewer clay tournaments if he wants his best shot at winning RG this year.
Congrats Rafans. The world needs the good vibes this forum is facing right now.
Almost the entire tennis universe has congratulated Rafa..no one grudges his success due to his work ethic thiem https://mobile.twitter.com/Stroppa_Del/status/1487830378933063680 felix https://mobile.twitter.com/Stroppa_Del/status/1487829664374697989/photo/1 Mateo https://mobile.twitter.com/Stroppa_Del/status/1487829541888405507/photo/
good stuff
Read this twitter handle for entire twitter verse congratulating Rafa..this is just twitter..many have on IG too
https://mobile.twitter.com/genny_ss
And a special mention of the ump who gave a time warning to rafa down bp after the 5 hour mark🙄
Rafa Nadal has the gs record to himself at least for four months after chasing federer for years and then running into god mode djokovic.!!😃😃😃
Numero 21!!
Hope he rests up and just comes back at Monte Carlo..
I hope not! He’s already signed up for Acapulco. If healthy he’ll probably play IW as usual. Rafa loves those two tournaments.
too much rest not good for his foot.Got to stay in shape. I think he’ll skip Acapulco but play Indian wells.
Congratulations all rafa fans.
I brought out some special whisky to celebrate.
What a win. Stuff of outrageous legend.
Enjoy and congratulations NNY,Nadline,VR,Sanju.
vrael,
Thanks!
Here’s to you!
🏆🥂🍾
Enjoy all the 21 n relive ..i rem all clearly from 2008…I saw Rafa first at wimby 07 final ,so never saw his first 3 slams
https://mobile.twitter.com/Grealish10i/status/1487823546705494023