Australian Open | Rafael Nadal, the athlete who never gives up

Nadal took the trophy in his hands before lifting it at arm’s length to the cheers of the Australian crowd. On his face, a big smile of pride that did not fade. “I can’t really explain the feelings I’m having right now, but I’ll do my best to come back next year. »

Katherine Harvey Pinard
The Press

At 35 and after overcoming several health issues, Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling, electrifying, thrilling 5-set match that stretched out over 5 hours. In all the humility that characterizes him, the Spaniard set the men’s record for the most Grand Slam victories at 21, ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

“I don’t even know what to say, it’s just amazing,” he told the Melbourne crowd. To be honest, a month ago I didn’t know if I would be able to return to the circuit to play tennis. And today, I am here, in front of you, with this trophy with me. You don’t know how hard I fought to get here. »

Until the very end, no one could guess which of the two tennis players would save themselves with the victory. Nadal, who dropped the first two sets, completed his comeback as hundreds of thousands of tennis fans watched with bated breath.

“It was a legendary match, once again,” suggests Guillaume Marx, performance director at Tennis Canada, reached by telephone by The Press.

” [Nadal] is really an athlete who trivializes the extraordinary, he adds. That’s what’s incredible. I think it’s really that force of habit of never letting go. He has never let up in his tennis career since the first time he hit a forehand, a backhand, since he played a match. »

According to Valérie Tétreault, ex-player, director of communications at Tennis Canada and analyst at TVA Sports, it was largely Nadal’s experience that got the better of Medvedev.

“We always say that tennis is won 80% in the head. For him, it may even be 90%, she recalls. […] It seems like no matter what situation he finds himself in during a game, he’s always kind of on familiar ground. He has credentials, which other players as good as Medvedev don’t necessarily have at this stage of their career. »

The great debate

With this victory, Nadal succeeded where Novak Djokovic failed last September, when he dropped his 21^and title against Medvedev in the US Open final.

It must be said that the absence of Djokovic, expelled from Australia before the start of the tournament, changed the pace of the fight in Melbourne. Nobody will ever know which of the Serb, the Spaniard or the Russian would have triumphed in other circumstances.

So even if the tie that persisted between Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in terms of the number of Grand Slams won has been broken, the great debate still exists. Which player of Big Three is the biggest? Is it actually possible to answer this question? The three stakeholders contacted by The Press are on the same wavelength on this.

“It’s always a debate! It seems like every player is coming in and revolutionizing the sport in their own way. There is none greater,” says Tennis Canada vice-president Eugène Lapierre, who has already rubbed shoulders with the three athletes.

“They each have their own personality. On the ground, it’s not over yet. We will follow this and it will be very interesting. »

Same story aside from Valérie Tétreault and Guillaume Marx.

“I think it’s a debate that will go on for a long time, at least as long as neither one nor the other has officially retired,” said Ms.^me Tetreault. […] It’s so fascinating, when you add up the total and you think that these three players played at the same time. Whatever it would have been, if only if one of the three had played in a different era. Total [de victoires] might be even higher. »

“I’m not going to close the debate!” launches Marx. I think it’s still very different from Djokovic’s position, because he was expected. It’s crescendoed all year, her story of the 21st^and [Grand Chelem]. He had won the previous three. Already, the pressure is strong, but there he had put additional pressure on himself. […] The difference is that Nadal did not even think of playing the tournament. »

Federer and Djokovic react

On his Instagram account, Roger Federer was quick to congratulate Nadal, his “friend and great rival”, for his achievement.

“A few months ago we were joking that we were both on crutches,” he wrote. Extraordinary. Never underestimate a great champion. Your incredible work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspiration to me and thousands of people around the world. »

“I am so proud to share this era with you and honored to play a role in pushing you to achieve even more. Just like you have done for me for the past 18 years. I’m sure you have even more accomplishments ahead of you, but for now enjoy this one,” he added.

Djokovic, for his part, highlighted the journey of the four finalists in singles.

“Congratulations, Rafael Nadal, on your 21^and Grand Slam, he wrote. It is an incredible achievement. It’s always fascinating, your fighting spirit prevailed again. »