Nadal resigned himself to his own defeat and rewrote history

Rafael Nadal rewrote history. Having won the Australian Open in the final, the Spaniard won the 21st Grand Slam title and became the absolute leader in this indicator.

The more important this success, which could easily not be. Many preliminary circumstances testified against Nadal. In general, they expected him to reach the quarter-final-semi-final, where further advancement already depended on the opponent.

Nadal held his first tournament after a long pause. The Spaniard was recovering from another injury, which he had enough throughout his career. A month before the tournament, he had been ill with the coronavirus. In a mild form, but each such thing has a significant impact on the preparation of an athlete. Received the sixth seeding number, which promised a complex grid. At the tournament itself, he began to have problems with digestion, he could not finish the fight against Denis Shapovalov at all. And the most important obstacle was voiced by Rafael himself after one of the matches – he is no longer 21 years old, and more and more opponents are physically superior to him.

In the final, the Spaniard was not a favorite, and from the very first minutes it was felt. Physically, Medvedev surpassed him, reached for every blow, managed to seize the initiative and dictated his own game on other people’s serves. Nadal himself periodically performed brilliant combinations, made his signature crazy strokes and showed his own fantastic technical arsenal. All in order to gnaw points, while the opponent took his remarkably easily.

It became obvious that Medvedev had time almost everywhere. For any technical invention, he has an accurate retaliatory strike. And if the fight drags on, the Spaniard will eventually get tired and miss the last chance. Nadal should have lost this final. He realized this and accepted his defeat. But he did not give up and won.

When a huge psychological burden fell from my shoulders, the game changed. It has long been no secret that the Spaniard is dependent on his serve. No, not from the number of aces, but simply from the first throw of the ball. There is a first serve – there is a chance to win points easily. No – each draw turns into a grueling battle. When the Spaniard calmed down, the pitch returned to him. First, the game leveled off. And then the story began.

Still not keeping up with the opponent, but still under the threat of exhaustion, Nadal dictated his own game. The difference between a very strong tennis player and a great one became noticeable. Nadal is more experienced, more skillful, but just a better tennis player.

Psychologically vulnerable Medvedev could not cope with the pressure, quarreled with the stands, the judge. And this is another point for the victory of the Spaniard. After all, Novak Djokovic could have beaten such Nadal, having put the squeeze on it mentally. However, in turn, the current Jock could not defeat such a Medvedev.

Returning to the circumstances before the tournament, we can say that the Spaniard was anti-Djokovic in everything. Not once did he allow himself criticism, disputes or even complaints about the conditions of the tournament or local legislation. His position was clear and simple – in Australia there are laws that Australians establish. He is a guest and will do whatever is necessary. No wonder that the audience in the final was much more supportive of him.

Medvedev can arbitrarily explain the support of the Spaniard by the audience by an exclusively biased and negative attitude towards Russians in the world. Moreover, there are a huge number of objective reasons for this attitude. But the mood of the public is a capricious thing and changes from match to match. Champions understand this and take it for granted. The Russian is just one of many gifted players with much more to gain. Nadal is a legend.

Brief conclusions about the tournament as a whole

Ashleigh Barty won the home tournament and confirmed her status as the absolute leader in women’s tennis. Barty, if you can compare it like that, plays “men’s” tennis. Cold-blooded, with well-calculated combinations, maximum efficiency at the lowest cost. And therefore less dependent on emotions. This distinguishes her from her rival. Yes, the Australian can also lose at any stage. There are many female tennis players who show a brighter, more interesting and technically more diverse game. But in stability with Ashley now no one can compete. Action that brings results is the game plan. Danielle Collins could have turned the match around, but she couldn’t break Barty.

Ashley wins her first Grand Slam title. Now her main goal should be the US Open – the last grand slam, which has not yet submitted to her (in singles).

Gael Monfils shows his best game. He’s nowhere near as fast as 10 years ago, he doesn’t do flashy tricks on the court. But the Frenchman is mature, efficient and confident in his actions. Even with the fresh and energetic Berretini, Gael managed to fight with experience. It is unlikely that the Frenchman will be able to return even to the top 10 – very strong competitors are ahead. But the game gives him pleasure, and before the final end of his career, Monfils can still win several tournaments.

Such confidence in actions is the merit of his wife? Who knows. But the work of his new coaching staff is clearly bearing fruit. And this is hope for Svetolina, which these coaches must return to the path of victories.

Elina herself is still taking on her new form.. No stability, no physical readiness. But there is time to prepare. The next spring is not very important, because many points in it were lost last year. Remembering Monfils, his results improved in the summer. So, Elina has a chance at least to Wimbledon to return to the top level.

Is it possible not to let the first racket of the world into the tournament? It turns out you can. And tennis does not get worse from this. Neither quality nor drama. Djokovic had the opportunity to go down in history, but Nadal got there. Novak will have another chance to get even with the whole world in the next tournaments.

And we should realize that we are living witnesses of historical events that people will remember for decades.