ARTICLES:
McEnroe: “All of a sudden things have fallen into place for Rafa who has to be the humblest, classiest champion of almost any athlete I’ve ever seen in any sport. It’s well-deserved for a guy to do this like Rafa Nadal, you can see how much it meant to him to get to the finals again.”
Becker: “What a legend of our sport. Two months ago it was uncertain whether he would be able to continue playing at all after his serious ankle operation – and then he comes to Australia and plays his best tennis. I don’t think Nadal was thinking about his 21st Grand Slam title before the semi-final. He is more relaxed about it than Novak Djokovic.
“He says, I’m happy that I still can play tennis and that I’m in the final in Australia. But that will change now. Rafa has two nights before the final and he will be thinking about the 21. However, Rafa is an absolute superstar and will be able to handle it.”
- Berrettini: ‘I Will Learn From Rafa Defeat’ | ATP Tour
With 20 Grand Slam titles under his belt, Nadal is an obvious role model for Berrettini in his pursuit for further success. “Just look at the numbers,” said 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini. “I don’t know how many semi-finals Rafa has played, but I know that he has more experience in this.
“We chatted a little bit in the locker room. He told me that it was a great run, and I told him again, bravo. It’s just really nice for me to talk to him and have this kind of conversation, because I’m still learning from him, and it’s good.”
VIDEOS:
Rafa was crying in his hand trying to hide it. You could see how much this meant to him. We heard him say: “I wasn’t sure if I was able to play tennis again.” You could see that come pouring out of him. I love the match he played.
Lindsay Davenport
Social media related to Rafa:
Tenterhooks!
Medvedev getting a nice message?? I thought you couldn’t get treatment for cramping…isn’t that cheating?
2 points now
I can taste history!! Wow, wow, wow!!
3 points from the title
Sweet drop shot from Medvedev.
And now, Rafa will have to serve to see it out.
Can you do it champ! Make history without any drama Rafa!
Stay strong champ! You’ve been here countless times! Let your experience see you through!
Omg why why it happens to us
At this point Medvedev is still serving lights out.
Rafa, hold your serve 2 more times and AO 2022 is yours!
Just one game for 21 slam
Great hold champ!
No loss of focus, no drop in intensity Rafa! Stay strong!
Stop with the errors Rafa! Stay sharp and hold! This 6th game is crucial champ! Hold!
Saved a break point and it’s deuce again
Rafa stay strong champ! Making history is never easy but you can do this champ!
Great forehand Rafa!
Stay strong and give him nothing! Break point!
Saved. Another break point! Boom!
Now hold Rafa! Hold hold hold!
He has broken but he needs to Consolidate
Rafa stay steely on your service games champ!
Believe in yourself champ!
This is what I was hoping and praying for after the 1st 2 sets.
Now all the way? !!!!!!!!
Oh God pleeeeease!!! I’m a nervous wreck.
This is amazing. I can’t take another 5 set defeat in an Australian Open final after those matches against Roger and Nole, though … I’m trying to convince myself that this is meant to be, that Rafa’s fated to get the 21st GS title after everyone was so convinced it’d be Nole who got there first. Vamos!!
This is incredible. He’s hardly played for months and months because of the foot injury, he’s said himself that he didn’t know if he was coming back at all, and it sounds like he was quite badly hit by Covid as well. And he can do this. What a man!
He will win now
He should
He has to
He said his symptoms were mild. I believe he said only the first day was YUK.
Now we can believe!!! C’mon Rafa!!
Amazing! Amazing fightback from our champion Rafa Nadal! Wow!
Rafa, now hang in there and grind out the win! You can do it champ!
What is this match doing to us guys??
Phewwww another break of serve for Rafa. Will he capitalize?
Hahahah! Another Rafa classic! He can give you a nervous breakdown! Medvedev just won’t go away! But don’t forget Rafa has 5 set Stamina in his blood!
I’ll die man ! Pheww
Ziggy and Nav…
I couldn’t see Rafa losing in straight sets and felt he would come back in the 3rd.
Will Med’s legs hold up???
Same old same old. Break and get broken right back.
Increase the intensity Rafa! You can do this!
He catches our breath again and broken come on Rafa you can do it
Well we are going to 4th….come on Rafa I know it’s difficult but we are still having hope
Signs of life my people!
Agree Mac as Rafa saved 3 BP in his first service game and then breaks Medvedev now has to hold
I never comment on here but I’m so sad to see so many negative comments. 2 weeks ago did you imagine Rafa even in the final? I certainly didn’t. Yes he can play better but think of the time he’s had off. Medvedev is playing so well. On other days it will be Rafa playing better. I’m just thankful to still be watching him because for me nobody matches him.
Indeed Sarah. Actually we love him so much that we can’t see him losing…Rafa will be in our hearts no matter if he loses or wins
Never post but absolutely have to He has done great to even be here -please stop the negativity
It does not matter he will win Roland Garros . This was his return to tennis enjoy every minute of what we have left . Rafael Nadal is the greatest ever
Sarah well said. I couldn’t agree more. There are pseudo fans on this site who love to give Rafa a good kicking when he’s down. SHAME ON YOU!!! I remember all the wonderful tennis he played throughout the years and his willpower. I also remember how much mental strength it’s taken him to get this far in the tournament.
Yes, I am critical of his performance in this match, but even if he goes on to lose the match, I will never question his dogged determination.
Aww… I just feel like giving Rafa a big hug right now.
Me too!!!
The fighting spirit of our champion cannot be denied…
The Australian-Open-Winning-Spirit however, is a totally different matter.
Rafa saves 3 break points and holds.
3 break points Medvedev. Here we go…
Wow wow wow. If it ain’t your day, it ain’t your day.