16 photos capture the emotion of Rafael Nadal's career-defining Australian Open victory

Meredith CashJan 30, 2022, 23:34 IST

Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the 2022 Australian Open.REUTERS/Morgan Sette

Rafael Nadal is the 2022 Australian Open men's singles champion.
The Spaniard took down Russian Daniil Medvedev in a grueling, five-hour marathon match.

Rafael Nadal is the 2022 Australian Open champion.

The 35-year-old Spaniard crawled back from a two-set deficit to take down Russian superstar Daniil Medvedev in a five-plus hour marathon in Melbourne. The 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory gave Nadal the record-breaking 21st Grand Slam singles title of his illustrious tennis career.

No other men's player in the history of the sport has won as many championships across the four major tournaments. Upon winning, Nadal was overcome with emotion upon achieving the monumental feat.

Check out photos of the superstar's incredible moment below:

Rafael Nadal spent more than five hours battling Russian star Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final.

REUTERS/Loren Elliott

The Spaniard came back from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set.

REUTERS/Loren Elliott

And when he finally broke through to take the 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory, Nadal was absolutely overcome with emotion.

Rafael Nadal.REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

The 35-year-old dropped his racket as soon as he won match point.

AP Photo/Andy Brownbill

Then he buried his face in his hands as he grinned from ear to ear.

REUTERS/Morgan Sette

For a moment, he stood with his hands on his hips, taking in the moment with wonder and disbelief.

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

But it didn't take long after his handshake with Medvedev for the theatrics to kick in.

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

The 35-year-old excitedly punted a tennis ball into the air.

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Then he pointed up to the crowd ...

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

... pumped some punches into the air ...

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

... then threw his arms wide in the ultimate display of triumph.

Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the 2022 Australian Open.REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Nadal fell to his knees, basking in the monumental moment.

AP Photo/Simon Baker

Then, suddenly, excitement gave way to overwhelming emotion.

REUTERS/Loren Elliott

He sank into the hard court as he absorbed the enormity of winning his 21st Grand Slam title.

REUTERS/Morgan Sette

Months after grappling with a career-threatening injury, he had broken the record for most Grand Slam singles titles in men's tennis history.

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

History made.

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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16 photos capture the emotion of Rafael Nadal's career-defining Australian Open victory

Rafael Nadal spent more than five hours battling Russian star Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final.

The Spaniard came back from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set.

And when he finally broke through to take the 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory, Nadal was absolutely overcome with emotion.

The 35-year-old dropped his racket as soon as he won match point.

Then he buried his face in his hands as he grinned from ear to ear.

For a moment, he stood with his hands on his hips, taking in the moment with wonder and disbelief.

But it didn't take long after his handshake with Medvedev for the theatrics to kick in.

The 35-year-old excitedly punted a tennis ball into the air.

Then he pointed up to the crowd ...

... pumped some punches into the air ...

... then threw his arms wide in the ultimate display of triumph.

Nadal fell to his knees, basking in the monumental moment.

Then, suddenly, excitement gave way to overwhelming emotion.

He sank into the hard court as he absorbed the enormity of winning his 21st Grand Slam title.

Months after grappling with a career-threatening injury, he had broken the record for most Grand Slam singles titles in men's tennis history.

History made.