Calling it one of the most emotional nights of his 18-year career, Rafael Nadal celebrated a dramatic US Open final victory Sunday over Daniil Medvedev for his 19th Grand Slam title.
The 33-year-old Spanish left-hander grabbed his fourth career title on the New York hardcourts in thrilling fashion, squandering a two-set lead before outlasting the Russian fifth seed 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 after four hours and 50 minutes.
Also read: An epic in four parts and five sets: Nadal’s warrior spirit outlasts Medvedev in US Open final
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the epic match:
Did you know trophies are a great source of protein? 🏆
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) September 9, 2019
🎥: @usopen | @RafaelNadal | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/2ijah54r0O
Longest US open finals
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) September 9, 2019
4h54 Wilander-Lendl 1988
4h54 Murray-Djokovic 2012
4h50 Nadal-Medvedev 2019
Los 1️⃣9️⃣ de Rafael Nadal:
— Rodrigo Camacho (@rodrigocamacho_) September 9, 2019
- #AusOpen🐨 (2009)
- #RolandGarros🐌 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- #Wimbledon🌱 (2008, 2010)
- #USOpen (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) pic.twitter.com/tDH0P6vKQy
Wilander says Nadal coming so close to Federer's Grand Slams records will push Federer to play for at least two more years.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 9, 2019
January 31st 2004:
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 9, 2019
Federer - 1
Nadal - 0
September 8th 2019:
Federer - 20
Nadal - 19#USOpen
Most men’s Grand Slams…
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 9, 2019
Federer - 20
Nadal - 19 👏
Djokovic - 16
20-19 in 2019.
20-20 in 2020?#USOpen @usopen pic.twitter.com/u7ci6iegFt
This is the 12th consecutive #GrandSlam tournament won by a member of the Big 3, the 2nd longest streak only to 18 in a row from 2005 @RolandGarros to 2009 @Wimbledon.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 9, 2019
During current streak, @Rafa_Nadal has won 5 titles, @Djoker_Nole 4 and @RogerFederer 3. #USOpen
The last time any man other than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic won a Grand Slam....#USOpen pic.twitter.com/DJmTVjje8s
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) September 9, 2019
Rafael Nadal in 2008, spanning ages 21 and 22:
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) September 9, 2019
All four major semifinals reached, 2 major titles won
Rafael Nadal in 2019, spanning ages 32 and 33:
All four major semifinals reached, 2 major titles won
Is the demonstration of #Longevity in the life, no? #AccentUSO #Rafa
Instead of trying to undermine Nadal’s clay success, consider this: Djokovic and Federer are probably two of the top 5-7 clay court players of all-time and have one RG each because this guy has absolutely boxed out an entire surface for a decade and a half...
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) September 9, 2019
Let no one say this was a dull duel from the baseline.
— Ravi Ubha (@raviubha) September 9, 2019
Nadal and Medvedev combined to win 101! points at the net. (51 for RN, 50 for DM). And there were 49 serve and volley points.
Nadal - "It's been one of the most emotional nights of my tennis career." pic.twitter.com/mIjgRs10fM
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 9, 2019
Beautiful moment at the end. We are all Rafa, we are all crying.
— Athena (@Iam_amyobi) September 9, 2019
Video Credit: @usopen #Nadal #Usopen #VamosRafa #GS19 #Champion pic.twitter.com/ZwlUCxLOJs
In the last 10 years since 2009 - Grand Slam titles
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 9, 2019
15 - Novak Djokovic
14*- Rafael Nadal
7 - Roger Federer
3 - Andy Murray/Stan Wawrinka
1 - Juan Martín del Potro/Marin Cilic#USOpen2019#USOpen
Rod Laver, on the 50th anniversary of his second Grand Slam in 1969, gives the men's US Open trophy to Rafael Nadal. Wonder to whom Nadal will be giving trophies in 2069?
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 9, 2019