Rafael Nadal wins record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title with victory over Daniil Medvedev in Australian Open final

With the Melbourne crowd passionately on his side – much to the constant irritation of his pantomime villain opponent – the Spanish legend ran out a 2-6 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 6-4 7-5 winner after five hours and 27 minutes on court to move one clear of both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time standings.

By doing so he also becomes the second man in the Open Era – and only the fourth man in the whole of tennis history – to capture each of the four Grand Slams twice or more, after Djokovic completed the achievement by winning his second title at Roland Garros in 2021.

In his 29 Grand Slam finals - almost 17 years after his first at the 2005 French Open - this was the seventh time Nadal had been taken the full distance and of his four five-set victories, two have come against Medvedev having also beaten the Russian in the 2019 US Open final.

This was yet another epic duel to add to his iconic collection that include countless thrillers against the likes of Federer, Djokovic and Andy Murray during his illustrious career and he needed to use every ounce of his trademark battling qualities to overcome an opponent 10 years younger over five hours on the Rod Laver arena.

Indeed, at 35 years 241 days, Nadal is the third man in the Open Era to win the Australian Open title after turning 35 – after Federer and Ken Rosewall, who both won two titles each after this milestone birthday.

And on top of all that, this was remarkably the first time Nadal has recovered from two sets down to win a match since beating Mikhail Youzhny at Wimbledon in 2007, and he is the first to do so in an Australian Open final since Roy Emerson in 1965.

The feat - and manner of the comeback - is made even more remarkable by the fact he missed the last six months of the 2021 season due to a chronic foot problem injury before returning for an exhibition tournament in December, where he lost to Andy Murray in the semi-finals.

Having feared he may have to retire only a couple of months ago, he then arrived in Australia unsure of what he could achieve but ended it - at 1.11am local time - by finishing another chapter in his career with silverware.

Federer didn't take long to send his congratulations via Instagram, writing: "A few months ago we were joking about both being on crutches. Amazing!"

As far as the final was concerned, Medvedev was greeted by boos as he entered Rod Laver Arena and the Russian, who is rapidly becoming the sport’s favourite villain, entered into more dialogue with the umpire, this time Australian John Blom, over fans calling out between first and second serves.

He kept a handle on his emotions a lot better than he had during his semi-final victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, when he screamed at umpire Jaume Campistol, restricting his insults to calling the noisy fans “idiots”.

The contest was also briefly interrupted by a protester who dramatically jumped out of the crowd and onto the court during the ninth game of the second set holding a banner highlighting refugee detention – a campaign that received a global spotlight when Djokovic was detained and then deported ahead of the tournament.

Security guards quickly raced onto the court and tackled the intruder before hauling the person away.

That seemed to be a crucial period of the match, with Nadal holding set point having twice been a break up only for Medvedev, who won seven more points in the match, to fight back and take it with a backhand winner to clinch the tie-break.

Had he taken any of three break points at 3-2 in the third set, things may well have panned out very differently, but saving them galvanised Nadal, who roared back and suddenly became the more energetic of the pair.

The Spaniard got the better of three successive breaks early in the fourth set and he looked on his way to the title when he moved 3-2 ahead in the decider but when leading 5-4 and 30-0, a double fault paved the way for Medvedev to break back.

The Russian, though, could not hold his own serve, giving Nadal a second chance to serve for it, and this time he did not falter.

Just one of the enthralling highlights of this encounter was a stunning 40-shot rally which Nadal edged with a mesmerising winner.

After receiving the trophy, Nadal turned to his opponent, saying: “I know it’s a tough moment. Daniil you are an amazing champion.

“I have been in this position a couple of times at this tournament. I have no doubt you will have this trophy a couple of times in your career. It has been one of the most emotional matches in my tennis career and to share the court with you is just an honour.

“I don’t know what to say. For me it’s just amazing. Being honest, one month and a half ago I didn’t know if I would be able to be back on the tour and now I am here sharing the trophy with all of you. You don’t know how much I fought to be here. Thank you so much for all the support.

“Without a doubt it’s one of the most emotional moments in my tennis career. The support I received through the three weeks is going to stay in my heart for the rest of my life.

“I really can’t explain the feelings that I have right now but I’m going to keep trying my best to come next year.”

Medvedev finally earned sustained applause from the crowd for a composed speech.

He said: “It’s tough to talk after five hours 30 and losing but I want to congratulate Rafa. What he did today, I was amazed. During the match I tried to just play tennis but, after the match I asked him, ‘Are you tired?’

“It was insane. You’re an amazing champion.”

Addressing his agent and coach, he said: “We tried our best and hopefully we can have more victories to come. Usually I have my wife here but I think probably the TV is broken.”

Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam record

Scroll down further for career final details

• Australian Open: 2 titles, 6 finals (17 appearances)
• French Open: 13 titles, 13 finals (17 appearances)
• Wimbledon: 2 titles, 5 finals (14 appearances)
• US Open: 4 titles, 5 finals (15 appearances)

How Rafael Nadal compares to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal moves Grand Slam clear of both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with 21 titles and has achieve this feat in fewer finals. This was his 29th final whereas Federer and Djokovic have both appeared in 31.

It's the first time he's moved ahead of Federer, who led the pair’s rivalry in terms of most Grand Slam titles won from winning his first Grand Slam title at 2003 Wimbledon until Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam title at 2020 Roland Garros.

Between them, Djokovic and Nadal have won 13 of the last 15 Grand Slam titles (since 2018 Roland Garros), with Djokovic having won eight Grand Slam titles in that time and Nadal claiming five to go clear overall.

FEDERER

• Australian Open: 6 titles, 7 finals (21 appearances)
• French Open: 1 titles, 5 finals (19 appearances)
• Wimbledon: 8 titles, 12 finals (22 appearances)
• US Open: 5 titles, 7 finals (19 appearances)

DJOKOVIC

• Australian Open: 9 title, 9 finals (17 appearances)
• French Open: 2 titles, 6 finals (17 appearances)
• Wimbledon: 6 titles, 7 finals (16 appearances)
• US Open: 3 titles, 9 finals (15 appearances)

Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam final record

• WON 2005 French Open: Mariano Puerta 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
• WON 2006 French Open: Roger Federer 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
• Lost 2006 Wimbledon: Roger Federer 0–6, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–2), 3–6
• WON 2007 French Open: Roger Federer 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
• Lost 2007 Wimbledon: Roger Federer 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, 2–6
• WON 2008 French Open: Roger Federer 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
• WON 2008 Wimbledon: Roger Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7
• WON 2009 Australian Open: Roger Federer 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 3–6, 6–2
• WON 2010 French Open: Robin Söderling 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
• WON 2010 Wimbledon: Tomáš Berdych 6–3, 7–5, 6–4
• WON 2010 US Open: Novak Djokovic 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
• WON 2011 French Open: Roger Federer 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1
• Lost 2011 Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic 4–6, 1–6, 6–1, 3–6
• Lost 2011 US Open: Novak Djokovic 2–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 1–6
• Lost 2012 Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 7–5, 4–6, 2–6, 7–6(7–5), 5–7
• WON 2012 French Open: Novak Djokovic 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5
• WON 2013 French Open: David Ferrer 6–3, 6–2, 6–3
• WON 2013 US Open: Novak Djokovic 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
• Lost 2014 Australian Open: Stan Wawrinka 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 3–6
• WON 2014 French Open: Novak Djokovic3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
• Lost 2017 Australian Open: Roger Federer 4–6, 6–3, 1–6, 6–3, 3–6
• WON 2017 French Open: Stan Wawrinka 6–2, 6–3, 6–1
• WON 2017 US Open: Kevin Anderson 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
• WON 2018 French Open: Dominic Thiem 6–4, 6–3, 6–2
• Lost 2019 Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 3–6, 2–6, 3–6
• WON 2019 French Open: Dominic Thiem 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1
• WON 2019 US Open: Daniil Medvedev 7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4
• WON 2020 French Open: Novak Djokovic 6–0, 6–2, 7–5
• WON 2022 Australian Open: Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 6-4 7-5

Routes to the Australian Open final

RAFAEL NADAL'S RUN

• R1: 6-1 6-4 6-2 v Marcos Giron - 1hr 49 mins
• R2: 6-2 6-3 6-4 v Yannick Hanfmann - 2hrs 42 mins
• R3: 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 v Karen Khachanov (28) - 2hr 50 mins
• R4: 7-6 (16/14) 6-2 6-2 v Adrian Mannarino - 2hr 40 mins
• QF: 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 v Denis Shapovalov (14) - 4h 8m
• SF: 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 v Matteo Berretini (7) - 2hrs 55 mins

DANIIL MEDVEDEV RUN

• R1: 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7/3) v Hendri Laaksonen - 1hr 54 mins
• R2: 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 4-6 6-2 v Nick Kyrgios - 2hr 58 mins
• R3: 6-4 6-4 6-3 v Botic Van de Zandschulp - 1hrs 55 mins
• R4: 6-2 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4) 7-5 v Maxime Cressy - 3hr 30 mins
• QF: 6-7 (4/7) 3-6 7-6 (7/2) 7-5 6-4) v Felix Auger-Aliassime (9) - 4hrs 42 mins
• SF: 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 v Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) - 2hrs 30 mins