Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova congratulated Rafael Nadal on winning the Australian Open. After the Australian Open final, Australian Open Instagram account posted a picture of Nadal hugging his father moments after his victory.
Sharapova shared the post on her Instagram Story and congratulated Nadal on making tennis history. Nadal won a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title after beating Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. « A picture worth a thousand words.
Congratulations, Rafa! » Sharapova wrote.
Nadal created a huge comeback
Nadal recovered from two sets down to beat Medvedev 2-6 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 7-5. “It was one of the most emotional matches of my career,” Nadal said during the trophy ceremony.
“To share the court with Daniil was just an honour. It is amazing. To be honest, one and a half months ago I wasn’t sure if was able to be back on the Tour playing tennis again. But today I am here in front of all of you with this trophy in front of me.
You are just amazing, thank you so much”. Medvedev thought he played well but Nadal was simply « unreal. » « It was a huge match, for sure some small points, small details that I could have done better if I wanted to win.
But that’s tennis, that’s life, » Medvedev said. « (It) was a huge match. Rafa played unreal, raised his level. I mean, two sets to love up, I was like, ‘C’mon, just go for him, go for more’ « In (the) fifth set, I was like ‘make him run’
He was unreal. He was really strong, like the way he played, at four hours I was even surprised. But, of course, we know how Rafa can play. He didn’t play for six months. He told me after the match that he didn’t practice so much. It was unreal. »
