In a great sports career, there comes a moment that completely encapsulates the tireless efforts of the champion’s outstanding talent. For Sachin Tendulkar, it was reaching one hundred international centuries and for Kapil Dev it became the highest wicket-taker in Test match wickets with 432 wickets. It is the mantra of continuity across decades and geographies. On a Sunday evening in Melbourne, it was turn Rafael Nadal achieved similar nirvana with record 21st men’s singles Grand Slam title, to pass on Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic In all time tally. The 35-year-old is only the fourth person in history (after Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Djokovic) to have won all four Majors at least twice. Nadal was not in the best place To achieve what he did. He was in relegation for the second half of 2021 and a chronic leg injury had him contemplating retirement. In Australia, he was physically sub-prime and in the final against Daniil Medvedev – a 6’6″ albatross who had dropped Djokovic barely five months earlier with a blindingly disastrous performance at the 2021 US Open – he lost two sets and three break points down. But what stood out was Nadal’s most remarkable ability to thrive when allowed to survive, which culminated in his “greatest comeback” and his first It was hailed as the “Most Unexpected Achievement” of his illustrious career.
The last decade in Australia has been a disappointing one for the Spaniard, having lost four finals, with two from winning positions. There was a repeat in the offing when he failed to complete the match in the fifth set. But he had reached such rare heights that he quickly put a poor service game behind him, resting in the moment and earning another chance for a shot in history he would never miss. There was also a history-maker among women, as classy Ashleigh Barty, a player of Indigenous Australian heritage, won her first major on home soil, a first for an Australian since 1978, and won the 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon. After third overall. Adept at grass and clay, thanks to his first-rate footwork and excellent racquet skills, Barty transitioned seamlessly to acrylic, adding some aggression while retaining his finesse and variety. Even in the crowded market that is global tennis, there are no styles and personalities quite like Nadal and Barty. It was fitting that the event ended with an encouraging victory for the pair, despite the fog of Djokovic’s relegation saga that had settled the pre-tournament. The announcement of Sania Mirza’s retirement at the end of the season will send a wave of sadness for the Indians. But the coming year will be another opportunity to relive and celebrate his stupendous achievements and illustrious legacy.
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