Melbourne: Rafael Nadal has revealed that he has no intentions of retiring from tennis after winning a record 21st Grand Slam title. Following the Australian Open victory, Nadal sunk to the ground in celebration and he then told the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena that he now has “plenty of energy” to return to Melbourne next year.
“One month and a half ago I will say there was a chance that it was going to be my last Australian Open but now I have plenty of energy to keep going. I really can’t explain the feelings I have right now but I’m going to keep trying my best to keep coming next year. Thank you very much and I’ll see you soon,” Nadal said during the presentation ceremony at the Rod Laver Arena.
After six months sidelined, Nadal’s astonishment was beyond doubt after springing his greatest Grand Slam final escape against Daniil Medvedev to win his second Australian Open crown.
Thirteen years since he defeated Roger Federer here, the 35-year-old became just the fourth man in the open era to capture every major twice following a remarkable 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory against Daniil Medvedev. It was his first comeback from two sets down in a major final and first at any stage of a Grand Slam since the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2007.
Following the victory, Nadal was quick to praise Medvedev and insisted the rising star would taste success Down Under in the future.
‘I know it’s a tough moment, Daniil. You’re an amazing champion. I’ve been in this position a couple of times trying to have the trophy with me. It has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career, and to share the court with you is just an honour,” Nadal said.
Meanwhile, the 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has hit a 21-year low in the latest ATP rankings while Serbia’s Novak Djokovic remains world No. 1 despite not playing in the Australian Open.
After missing the first Grand Slam of the year, the 40-year-old Federer slipped 13 places and now sits at 30th position with 1,665 points in the latest rankings.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal remains in fifth despite winning his 21st Grand Slam on Sunday. Italy’s Matteo Berrettini is the only men’s player to move inside the top 10, leapfrogging Russia’s Andrey Rublev into sixth after the former made the semifinals at the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
American Taylor Fritz has moved from No. 22 to No. 20 to get into the top 20 for the first time, despite a third-round defeat in the Australian Open by Spain’s Roberto Autista Agut.
In the women’s section, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty remains world No. 1 after winning the Australian Open for the first time in her career.
Barty’s straight-set win over American Danielle Collins means she has extended her ranking points lead over No. 2 Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, who reached the quarterfinals of the singles, has risen one spot into third.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who reached her first semifinal at Melbourne, has moved up from ninth into fourth while Collins has surged up 20 places from No. 30 to No. 10.
Rafael Nadal (who won a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title) and Ashleigh Barty with their Australian Open trophies.
