Rafael Nadal Honored One Era With Roger Federer

MDP Live - Recently, Rafael Nadal replied to a message congratulating Roger Federer after the Spaniard won the 21st Grand Slam title of his career at the 2022 Australian Open.

The former world number 1 has finally broken the men's record with the most number of Grand Slam titles after coming back from two sets down against world number 2 Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. This achievement received admiration from fellow tennis players, including Swiss tennis star Roger Federer.

A 20-year-old Grand Slam title, Federer took to Instagram to congratulate the Spaniard on becoming the first male player to win 21 Grand Slam titles. He also admitted that he felt great about his role in helping the Spaniard to achieve such remarkable achievements.

“To my friend and toughest rival @rafaelnadal, congratulations on becoming the first male player to win 21 Grand Slam titles. A few weeks ago we joked about using crutches. It's amazing, never underestimate a true champion. Your extraordinary work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspiration to me and countless individuals around the world. I am proud to share this era with you and honored to play a role in pushing you to achieve more, as you have done for me over the past 18 seasons. I'm sure you can achieve more in the future, but for now, enjoy the moment," Federer wrote.

Speaking to Swiss-German media in Melbourne, the Spaniard said he would answer the message to Federer personally.

"I will tell him personally. I can't do it yet, answer it, but yeah, it means a lot to me. We have an amazing relationship. We did amazing things together, for me it's a great honor to be a part of his era," said Nadal.

"I think we brought to life some of the most amazing moments in the history of this sport. And you know, getting that message from him meant a lot to me."

"I wish him a speedy recovery, I really hope we will be able to play against each other again in such a prestigious tournament."

Towards the end of the interview, he insisted that he was unsure about whether he could win the Australian Open title before arriving in Melbourne.

"I never thought that I would get the chance to enjoy this again, it's impossible to imagine a day like this a few seasons ago. I think I trained hard, my team and family were by my side to support me in difficult times. I wasn't ready for a match like that. It was a big surprise, the most unexpected thing in my tennis career. But yes, it is very, very special," said Nadal.

For Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev doesn't need advice because of this

MDP Live - Spain's Rafael Nadal achieved a seemingly impossible feat when he won his 21st career Grand Slam title at the 2022 Australian Open.

The former world number 1 won the Australian Open in Melbourne in the first month since he returned to compete for the first time at an ATP tournament in six months.

In an epic match that lasted 5 hours and 30 minutes against world number 2 Daniil Medvedev, the 2009 Australian Open champion finally won and he did something no other male player has ever achieved, namely to win a Grand Slam title for the 21st time.

On the other hand, the Russian national tennis player, Medvedev expressed his frustration with the result of the match, as well as to the audience. At the end of the final, he talks about how things went downhill and mentions how losing to Nadal was one of those moments when a child, who refers to himself, stops dreaming.

Therefore, a journalist asked the Spaniard if he could give Medvedev any advice on the matter.

"I think he is quite intelligent," said Nadal. "He doesn't need any advice from me."

Then the former world number 1 praised the Russian national by praising his personality.

"Daniil is sometimes on the pitch so excited, but when you meet him in person, he's a very nice guy. He is a very intelligent man, a friendly man," Nadal added.

However, the Spaniard also expressed regret about how the match turned around and how it affected the 2021 US Open champions.

"On the one hand, I feel sorry that he feels that way, like this after the match," said the world number five. After all, it certainly doesn't feel good, "losing a match like that with almost everyone in the crowd cheering your opponent."

While the audience at the 2022 Australian Open has clearly supported the Spaniard, he himself has no doubt that the crowd will soon be cheering Medvedev just as hard.

Talking about the future, the world number 5 said he believes the Russian will have "plenty of time to enjoy the amazing audience that supports him." In fact, he mentioned that the audience he meant was not only audiences in Australia, but also all over the world.

“He will experience this wonderful feeling. I have no doubts about it,” said Nadal about Medvedev who will get the support of audiences around the world.

Rafael Nadal admits Melbourne final was one of the most emotional matches

MDP Live - Rafael Nadal has never given up on challenging moments, but he even surprised himself with a five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final.

The sixth seed struggled after dropping the first two sets before becoming the first male player to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles.

"If we put all the aspects, the scenario, the momentum, what it means, yes, it's probably the biggest revival of my tennis career," said Nadal, who won the Australian Open for the first time in 2009.

"In the end, it's all about winning, but the way you win games in terms of personal feelings is a different matter. The way I got this trophy is unforgettable, one of the most emotional matches of my career, without a doubt. This means a lot to me.”

Despite trailing 0/40 with serve in hand to world number 2 Medvedev leading by two sets and 3-2 in the third, the Spaniard said he has not lost faith that he can hold on in a tough match against the US Open champions. 2021 season.

"In that moment, of course it was a critical situation. But exercise is the unexpected. The normal thing is to lose in three straight sets in such a situation. On the other hand, I had a big chance in the second set."

“I kept repeating to myself the whole game, I lost a lot of times here in Melbourne after getting chances, sometimes I was a little unlucky. I just want to keep believing until the end. I just wanted to give myself a chance."

"That's what I do. Just struggling, just believing in trying to find a way out. Of course, I feel lucky to have saved that moment. There are many moments that can decide a final like this."

The former world number 1 also paid tribute to Medvedev.

"I think Daniil is a great champion. He took the loss very well and I can say thank you because it was a very tough day for him. I know how hard it is to be in that position," Nadal said.

The Spaniard is aware of the importance of winning a 21st Grand Slam title, but he is adamant this season's Australian Open title will not suddenly change his perspective on his career.

"It's amazing to be able to win another Grand Slam title at this stage of my career," admitted Nadal. "Sure, I know it's a special number, 21. I know what it means, but from my point of view today is a day I will never forget. I feel lucky to have achieved another very special thing in my career.”

“I really believe that I have a very positive spirit. In the last six months, I've really struggled to get back on the pitch. There are a lot of tough moments because you don't know if you're going to get a chance. I feel honoured.”

It has been a long journey since the 19-year-old Spaniard won his first career Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2005 and he admits his feelings about winning a Grand Slam have changed as he gets older.

"Today was more emotional than the first title, no doubt," said Nadal. "In this phase towards the end of your career, I think you enjoy this moment more because you know your chances are decreasing. When you're 19, of course it's very special, but you know if you play well you'll keep getting chances to enjoy moments like that."

Despite the defeat, Denis Shapovalov is proud of his fighting spirit

MDP Live - Despite losing to a tight result to Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Australian Open, Denis Shapovalov was proud of his fighting spirit in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam.

The tennis player, who is appearing in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the first time, came back after losing the first two sets to equalize before losing 3-6 in the decider.

"I'm happy with the way I was able to fight and bounce back," said Shapovalov. "I definitely found my game at the end of the third and fourth sets. The positives are getting more time at Grand Slams, getting the chance to try to find your game. Overall, it was a positive tournament for me."

The 14th seed beat world number 3 Alexander Zverev to book a quarter-final against Spaniard Nadal, but he struggled to cope with the former world number 1's intensity early in the match. He also changed strategy and showed growing maturity as a player in an attempt to bounce back in the match.

"I just changed a few things. I feel I returned a lot of balls, so I'm just trying to prepare better. Once I did that, I could really see the serve and it came back really well," added Shapovalov.

The tennis player who is now trailing head to head against Nadal by 1-4, remains frustrated with the level of play in the fifth set.

“It was a shame to lose that set. I definitely feel like I'm getting a chance with my racket. I mean, in the third, fourth and fifth sets, I felt I was the better player and had more chances. There was only one bad game for me," said Shapovalov.

The sixth seed's win means he still has a chance to win a 21st Grand Slam title of his career this week at the Australian Open. When asked about the Spanish tennis star, the Canadian was full of admiration and acknowledged how tough the 35-year-old was.

"Rafa played well in the last set. Once he broke me, he kept his service game and served really hard. He definitely puts a lot of pressure on you, returns a lot of balls and plays aggressively when he needs it. Maybe another lawal will give me a little freedom. It was definitely a tough match," said Shapovalov.

Australian Open Results: Rafael Nadal And Alexander Zverev Still Perfect

MDP Live - Rafael Nadal held on after dropping the third set in the third round of the Australian Open so he maintained a perfect start to the 2022 season.

The former world number 1 found the answer to overcoming 28th seed Karen Khachanov to win 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, a victory that took her into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the 15th time.

Prior to January, the Spaniard had not competed since appearing in Washington in August last season due to a foot injury. But going into the 2022 season, he is playing like he hasn't walked away from the tournament and with a win over Russian Khachanov he is now 6-0 in 2022.

"It's been a very special week for me, to be back. Every time I get to play here it feels really special. Tonight (21/1) I played against a great player and a good friend in the tournament. It's my best player since I came back, without a doubt," said Nadal.

The tennis player, who won her 89th career title in the Melbourne Summer Set earlier this month, dropped just one point from her serve in the first set against Khachanov before picking up victory in 2 hours 50 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

The tennis player seeking a second Australian Open title of her career hit 39 winners and made 30 unforced errors en route to dominating head to head against Khachanov by 8-0.

Standing between sixth seed Nadal and a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals are 18th seed Aslan Karatsev or Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

In other action, world number 3 Alexander Zverev is also unbeaten after he thrashed Radu Albot 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

The two players have met before when Germany's Zverev won an epic five-set first round at the 2019 US Open, but he uses his weaponry to make a lethal impact to ensure that he doesn't have to go through the marathons he had before.

The 2021 ATP Finals champion shot 16 aces and won 83 percent of points from his first serve to beat world number 124 Albot in 1 hour 57 minutes.

In the fourth round of the Australian Open, Zverev will duel against 14th seed Denis Shapovalov who knocked out American Reilly Opelka 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Organizers believe Nadal will attend Australian Open, Djokovic not sure

MDP Live - Australian Open chief organizer Craig Tiley is optimistic that Rafael Nadal will be at Melbourne Park for next month's Grand Slam despite testing positive for COVID-19, but he still doesn't believe Novak Djokovic will participate in the tournament.

Nadal tested positive for COVID-19 after playing in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi last week and said he would make a decision about the Grand Slam tournament depending on his condition in the coming weeks.

"I'm sure Rafa will be here," Tiley said of the 20-time Grand Slam champion's arrival at Melbourne Park.

"Players who test positive will now complete a period of time until they are no longer contagious and they will be fine. If you are going to test positive and you want to play in the Australian Open, your time is now."

Tiley confirmed that all players and staff at the Australian Open would be vaccinated or subject to medical exemptions granted by an independent panel of experts.

That requirement has kept Djokovic, who has refused to disclose if he has been vaccinated for privacy reasons, from confirming whether he will claim his 21st Grand Slam title and 10th Australian Open crown next month.

Tiley said as far as he was concerned, no player had been granted a medical exemption, and Djokovic would reveal his reasons for coming to Australia.

"If Novak shows up at the Australian Open he will be vaccinated or he will get a medical exemption," Tiley said.

"Medically, he hasn't discussed it with anyone. I won't ask Novak that, it's none of my business.

"I would know that (he met) one of those conditions," he added.

Tiley said if the world number one was to play for Serbia at the ATP Cup in Sydney in the first week of January, then he would arrive with the first stage players next week.

"We want to have the best players here, I want Novak here," said Tiley.

"If he meets those requirements then great, if not, it's disappointing."

Roger Federer, winner of another 20 Grand Slam titles, and Serena Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam titles, have already ruled themselves out of the tournament as they continue to recover from injury.

Tiley also announced that former US Open champion Sam Stosur and his Australian counterparts Daria Saville and Maddy Inglis have been awarded wildcards for the women's singles event in the January 17-30 tournament.

Nadal exposed to Covid-19 on his return to Spain

MDP Live - Bad luck continues to approach the Spaniard, Rafael Nadal. After being smothered in injury, he now has to be exposed to the corona virus.

In August, Rafael Nadal suffered a leg injury that kept him out for four months. These conditions made Nadal have to be eliminated at Roland Garros in the semifinals.

He was also forced to withdraw from a number of other prestigious tournaments such as Wimbledon, the Tokyo Olympics, and the US Open.

After his condition began to recover, Rafael Nadal tried his performance in an exhibition tennis tournament which was held in Abu Dhabi.

While competing at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi, Nadal always underwent a routine Covid-19 PCR test to confirm his condition.

The last test was carried out on Friday last week and the result was negative. Rafael Nadal then returned to his hometown in Spain and again underwent a PCR test.

Unfortunately, Nadal tested positive for the corona virus from the test results. The 35-year-old tennis player was then asked to self-isolate until his condition completely recovered.

"I would like to announce that upon my arrival at home, after playing in the Abu Dhabi tournament, I tested positive for COVID-19.

Rafael Nadal's bad luck continues

Rafael Nadal admits that now he has to go through difficult times while self-isolating. However, Nadal hopes to recover soon and return to action on the tennis court.

"I had some unpleasant moments. But I hope to recover little by little. I am now at home and have reported the results to those who have been in contact with me," said the Barcelona Open champion.

"As a result of this situation, I have to be flexible with my calendar and I will analyze my options depending on the conditions. I will keep you informed of any decisions about my upcoming tournaments."

Rafael Nadal also can not guarantee to appear in the Australian Open tournament which is scheduled to start on January 17 next. This incident really made Nadal like he had fallen down the stairs.