Daniil Medvedev returns the last ball in the Australian Open final after more than five hours of play, but does not get over the net. Rafael Nadal covers his face with his hands and smiles. Thus, he gives once again a historic moment for world tennis, an image that remains forever. The moment in which he became the most important tennis player in history by winning 21 grand slam tournaments.
13 Roland Garros, 2 Australian Opens, 4 US Opens and 2 Wimbledons have been won throughout his career by the Majorcan tennis player, who once again attracted the attention of the planet in a final of 5 hours and 25 minutes for heart attack with a win 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 and 7-5.
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Rafael Nadal celebrates a point against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. Photo: RTVE.
The infinite repercussions of this sporting feat exceeded the limits of tennis. Athletes from other disciplines, football clubs and even the official account of the Royal House have echoed the Manacorí’s deed, who only six months ago was on crutches.
“Congratulations on your gigantic victory at the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal, your historic 21st Grand Slam! We are proud that a great madridista like you and an honorary member of our club is a sports legend and the greatest tennis player of all time”, Real Madrid published on its official account.
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Rafael Nadal listens to his coach Carlos Moya in the middle of a training session in Manacor. Photo: Rafa Nadal Academy.
Praise and congratulations also came from the historic rival. “Congratulations, @RafaelNadal. You have made history. We are proud of your deed and the values you demonstrate. The important thing is not your 21 Grand Slam titles, it is how you have achieved them, ”wrote the Atlético Madrid account.
“My goodness, what brutality. What delivery, what mind, what claw, what REFERENCE, what of everything. At your feet Rafael Nadal”, the motorist Marc Márquez praised.
The Royal House also spoke on social networks before the epic victory. “Rafa, we are running out of qualifiers. There are no obstacles for those who have no limits. The best tennis in the world, you represent it, ”said the official account.
Rivals at your feet
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic acknowledged the Mallorcan’s triumph, showing that the rivalry only exists on the field of play.
“What a match! To my friend and great rival, Rafael Nadal. Heartfelt congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles,” Federer said in a social media post.
«A few months ago we joked that we were both on crutches. Incredible. Never underestimate a great champion, “said the Swiss player about Nadal.
“I am proud to share this era with you and honored to play a role in pushing you to achieve more,” added Federer. “As you have done for me for the last 18 years.”
Djokovic, for his part, expressed on his Instagram account: «Congratulations to @rafaelnadal for the 21st Grand Slam. Incredible achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed again,” said the Serbian player.
What is the secret of his achievements?
The attitude, the mentality and the clear objective are qualities that define Rafael Nadal throughout his career. The American psychologist Martin Seligman, father of positive psychology, has developed a series of concepts that can help understand Nadal’s “head”. They are: creativity, courage, self-control, persistence, humility, perspective and prudence.
Attitude and commitment: an anecdote that defines it
Rafa, my story (2011) is the name of the book that the English journalist John Carlin wrote with the tennis player, a kind of biography that covers all aspects of his life and narrates in detail the victory against Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final, defined by John McEnroe as “the best tennis match ever seen”, and the conquest of the US Open, in 2010, against Serbian Novak Djokovic.
After winning the tournament, Nadal had dinner with his team and family; the next day he gave an interview on the street to NBC in the morning and then took photos in Times Square, guarded by a cordon of police while fans screamed and car horns covered everything.
He took the flight and arrived in Manacor the next day. There was no marching band, no welcoming committee, no ruckus at all,” Carlin recalls in his book. That night he went out with his childhood friends and the next morning, at eleven o’clock, he returned to the track to exchange balls with his uncle Toni, both as absorbed and serious as ever, as if everything was still to play for and he had not managed to much.
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