Rafael Nadal got to 21, but took the scenic way by coming back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in an almost five-and-a-half hour marathon Australian Open final that didn’t finish until the early hours of Monday morning in Melbourne.
With the 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 win that started Sunday night, Nadal also became just the fourth man in history to win all four of the sport’s major titles at least twice.
Nadal won his first Australian Open title in 2009 and lost four other finals at Melbourne Park before his dramatic win over US Open champion Medvedev. His conversation rate in major finals is now 21 out of 29. Federer and Djokovic each have 20 majors from 31 finals appearances.
Nadal was broken when serving for the championship at 5-4 in the fifth set but made no mistake the next time. At 5 hours and 24 minutes, it was the second longest Australian Open final after Novak Djokovic beat Nadal in five sets in 5 hours and 53 minutes in 2012.
The 35-year-old Spaniard now has one more Major than Roger Federer and Djokovic, his long-time rivals in the so-called Big Three.
Here are some reactions to Nadal’s win:


#AusOpen
— The Field (@thefield_in) January 30, 2022
What a moment! What emotion! What a match! What a player!
RAFA!!!!
🎥 Australian Open pic.twitter.com/9L0vS0YZXV
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time. Enhorabuena 👏🏆👍 @Medwed33 gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him. pic.twitter.com/DsOvK8idNc
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2022
A final of Herculean proportions, thank you for a brilliant contest @RafaelNadal and @DaniilMedwed. Two AO crowns and 21 majors, given everything you have endured this historic victory is so special Rafa. It has been a privilege to watch you doing what you love. Congratulations🚀
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) January 30, 2022
Rafael Nadal is 35.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) January 30, 2022
He missed Wimbledon, the US Open and thought he might have to retire because of a chronic foot problem.
He was two sets to love down against the reigning US Open champion.
Seriously, how the hell is he doing this?
Tennis. pic.twitter.com/Tyvkvz3vDI
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 30, 2022
I LOVE tenis 😍
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) January 30, 2022
"Tough to talk after 5 hours 30 & losing. But I want to congratulate Rafa because what he did today, I was amazed.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 30, 2022
"During the match I just tried to play tennis but after the match I asked him, like, 'Are you tired?' Because it was insane." pic.twitter.com/YKtw4OYYlU
My face throughout the whole match...
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) January 30, 2022
My...forhead muscles will literally be sore for the next two days. 😅 https://t.co/dw8755TVyg
Rafaaaaaaaaaa🔥🔥🔥🔥... Wow wow wow wow. Congratulations @RafaelNadal @AustralianOpen #Nadal
— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) January 30, 2022
Never say never. pic.twitter.com/nX20gcSUmx
— Marcos Zugasti (@marcos_z) January 30, 2022
Absolutely amazing we’ve witnessed these guys make history year after year 🤩🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/1ZCRfswxnN
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) January 30, 2022
Nicely done Rafa! Congratulations on the record. Such a joy to watch you getting there.
— Leander Paes OLY (@Leander) January 30, 2022
Edge of the seat game! 🏆👏🏽#AustralianOpen #AusOpen #Tennis #RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/RgSO7nxB16
King numero XXI 👑 pic.twitter.com/3jvnj28ujM
— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) January 30, 2022
21! Incredible achievement. The most focused player. What an inspiration. Never giving up, always making little adjustments to his game is absolutely outstanding! What an example! Congrats, @RafaelNadal - to you and your team. Legend player and ambassador for tennis. #Nadal
— Nicolas Kiefer (@Nicolas_Kiefer) January 30, 2022
#21 🙌🙌🙌 @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/VH9NPYHHoI
— Fabio Fognini (@fabiofogna) January 30, 2022
What a final 🔥🎾@AustralianOpen @DaniilMedwed @RafaelNadal !!
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 30, 2022
Started from the bottom, now we’re here😤
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2022
History made by @RafaelNadal 🔥#Rafa21 pic.twitter.com/M7elHS0NS2
Advantage, Nadal.
— Nike (@Nike) January 30, 2022
Today, @rafaelnadal made history by becoming the first male tennis player ever to reach 21 Majors. Rafa has been on a relentless journey to clinch this historic 21st Slam. He now stands alone at the top as the GOAT in the men’s game. pic.twitter.com/0DsIVmvTFR
21 Grand Slam titles… Pure admiration for @RafaelNadal and his historic achievement 👑🏆 @AustralianOpen https://t.co/n7Vl9tIZFs
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 30, 2022
History redefined. 🏆✖️2️⃣1️⃣
— Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) January 30, 2022
The record belongs to @RafaelNadal with his second #AusOpen crown!
Congratulations, champion! 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/xZx95OlbXh
How? Just how?#AusOpen @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/ovrAHEF1T5
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 30, 2022
The first title came at Roland Garros, the 21st at the Australian Open.@RafaelNadal's career has been nearly picture perfect. pic.twitter.com/ZMem0r4qXF
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 30, 2022
I just cried @RafaelNadal you are my idol 😭
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) January 30, 2022
What a match 👏👏👏… Congratulations #RafaelNadal for winning the #AusOpen title 👍
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) January 30, 2022
HIStory. 𝟐𝟏 Grand Slam titles.@RafaelNadal 🏆🇪🇸 #AO2022 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/E78VQjdLa9
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) January 30, 2022
Tremendous respect @RafaelNadal heroic effort.. @DaniilMedwed many more GS titles to come, great fight👏👏What a final👍👍
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) January 30, 2022
Rafael - Fire 🔥hai Fire .
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 30, 2022
What an incredible comeback, what a champion #RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/5aNFTRP1wc
That is absolutely magnificent. Stunning to say the least.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 30, 2022
From 2 sets down to come back and win your 21st Grand Slam is incredible.
Congratulations @RafaelNadal!#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VHjjlb4GFN
See you at #AO2023, no? 🙌@RafaelNadal • #AO2022 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VhL9FTp6mX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022
With PTI inputs