Izuchukwu Okosi
Rafael Nadal battled down from two sets down and made history on Sunday after defeating Daniil Medvedev in a marathon Australian Open final to become the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles.
The Spaniard thus won at a Grand Slam for the first time in 15 years to complete a remarkable chapter in his extraordinary career, moving him one clear of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Slam stakes.
Nadal won 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-4 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena as the game last for five hours and 24 minutes.
This is Nadal’s second victory at the Australian Open – his first since 2009 – making him only the second man after Djokovic to win every Grand Slam title at least twice since the sport turned professional in 1968.
The 35-year-old Spaniard has been at the centre of some of the sport’s most incredible triumphs – but this surely goes down as the most amazing Grand Slam victory of his illustrious career.
Nadal’s achievement comes only a few months after he thought he would never be able to return to the tour because of a foot injury.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
Follow Us