Rafael Nadal was so tired after his epic Australian Open comeback that he was given a chair to sit on while waiting for his trophy

• Sunday's Australian Open final was the second longest Grand Slam final in tennis history.
• So tired was winner Rafael Nadal after, he was given a chair to sit on during the trophy presentation.

Rafael Nadal was so tired after his epic comeback in the Australian Open final he was given a chair to sit on during the trophy ceremony.

The Spaniard came back from two sets down to beat the Russian Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in a thrilling affair at the Rod Laver Arena that lasted a massive five hours and 24 minutes, making it the second longest Grand Slam final in tennis history.

Following the match, Medvedev revealed to the crowd that he asked Nadal, who looked full of energy right to the last, if he was even tired after his breathtaking turnaround.

While the 35-year-old chuckled at the gesture, his answer was made apparent when he was seen sitting on a chair next to a standing Medvedev during the trophy presentation.

The incident evoked memories of the 2012 Australian Open final between Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Both players were given chairs for the trophy presentation after their marathon encounter, which was won by Djokovic and lasted five hours and 53 minutes, making it the longest Grand Slam final ever.

—Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 30, 2022

Despite being visibly exhausted by his match against Medvedev, Nadal revealed that the victory — which saw him claim a record 21st career Grand Slam title — had inspired him to continue to compete in Melbourne despite having previously considered making this year his last ever appearance.

The clay-court specialist cut his 2021 season short due to a long-term left foot injury that put him on crutches.

"This was one of the most emotional matches of my career," he said after collecting his trophy. "It's just amazing. Being honest, one month-and-a-half ago I didn't know if i'd be able to be back on the tour playing tennis again.

"And today I am here in front of all of you and having this trophy with me. You really don't know how much I [sic] fighted to be here. I can't thank you enough for all the support that I received since I arrived here. You are just amazing."

He added: "One month-and-a-half [ago] probably I would say that maybe there is a chance that [this] is going to be my last Australian Open.

"But now [I have] plenty of energy to keep going, so thank you very much. I really can't explain the feelings I have now, but I'm going to keep trying my best to keep coming next year."

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While Nadal was extremely thankful towards the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena after the match, Medvedev was less enamored of the Australian fans.

The world number two, who was occasionally jeered throughout the match, branded the crowd "disrespectful" in his post-match press conference.

"Before Rafa serves, even in the fifth set, there would be somebody, and I would even be surprised, like one guy screaming, 'C'mon, Daniil,'" he said.

"[But] a thousand people would be like, 'Tsss, tsss, tsss.' That sound. It's disappointing. It's disrespectful. I'm not sure after 30 years I'm going to want to play tennis.

"I remember there was a lot of talk, 'Young generation should do better.' I guess these people were lying because, every time I stepped on the court in these big matches, I really didn't see much people who wanted me to win.

"It's cumulative. But tonight was like the top of the mountain."