Marc Marquez wrapped up the MotoGP season earlier due to an injury that required surgery. However, the Spaniard secured another MotoGP title on Ducati, his first in six years!
Marc discussed the greatest comebacks in sport's history, mentioning Michael Jordan, Alejandro Valverde and fellow racing legend Nici Lauda. Still, the list ended with Rafael Nadal and his incredible comeback in the 2022 Australian Open final.
Marquez praised his compatriot and his 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 triumph over Daniil Medvedev in five hours and 24 minutes. Rafa came from the verge of exit door and performed an incredible turnaround to become the first player with 21 Major titles.
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At 35 years and seven months, the Mallorcan became the third-oldest Australian Open winner after Roger Federer and Ken Rosewall. Nadal lost the opening two sets and faced three break points at 2-3 in the third.
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He denied them and launched one of the most incredible comebacks in Major finals. Rafa worked hard to introduce a decider and provided a late break to emerge at the top and write history books.
Each player generated 22 break points. Nadal got broken six times and stole Medvedev's serve seven times, including the decisive one in the closing stages of the duel.
They struggled behind the second serve, and Daniil had the edge on the first after firing over 20 aces. The Russian built the advantage in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes.
Nadal responded in the mid-range ones, and they stayed neck and neck in the most extended rallies. Medvedev threw everything he had at legend, hitting more winners and fewer unforced errors.
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However, he missed a chance to emerge at the top and claim his second Major title in a row. Rafa was off to a slow start, getting broken two times in the opener and struggling on the return.
The second set lasted over 80 minutes. Daniil erased a 5-3 deficit and saved a set point to steal the set in the tie break 7-5 with a backhand down the line winner,movinga set away from the title.
In one of the pivotal moments of the tournament, Nadal defended three break points at 2-3 in the third set. From that moment, the match was on! The Spaniard hit a backhand down the line winner in the ninth game and grabbed a break.
He served for the set at 5-4 and closed it with a forehand down the line winner to remain in contention ahead of another marathon. Daniil trailed 5-3 and faced a set point on serve in game nine.
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He saved it and prolonged the set before Rafa held at love at 5-4 to force a decider after four hours and 12 minutes. The Spaniard missed a break chance in the first game before converting one at 2-2 with a forehand winner.
The veteran saved three break points in game six to move 4-2 in front. He held in the eighth game for 5-3, but the drama was far from over. Medvedev grabbed a break from 0-30 in game ten, locking the result at 5-5 and prolonging the battle.
Nadal left that setback behind and seized the third break point in game 11 to deliver a break and move in front. The Spaniard made no mistakes while serving for the win for the second time.
He held at love at 6-5 with a backhand volley winner, sealing the deal in style and celebrating his first Australian Open title since 2009.
