2022 Australian Open Men’s Final: Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev

[the AntiPusher]

I think Serena's RG titles were about 11 years apart (2002, 2013), but still not as long as Nads stint.

Thanks Keli...

BTW.. Didn't everyone on the planet know Jimmy G was going to find a way to do something boneheaded in the NFC championship game. Well, I think that may get us a new mentor before the Trey Lance era begins.

 

[kskate2]

Thanks Keli...

BTW.. Didn't everyone on the planet know Jimmy G was going to find a way to do something boneheaded in the NFC championship game. Well, I think that may get us a new mentor before the Trey Lance era begins.

To his credit he didn't make a boneheaded play til the very end. The rest of his team let him down earlier in the game, especially the defense that didn't stop the Lambs from scoring in the 4th and then had some stupid fouls that gave them good field position.

 

[the AntiPusher]

To his credit he didn't make a boneheaded play til the very end. The rest of his team let him down earlier in the game, especially the defense that didn't stop the Lambs from scoring in the 4th and then had some stupid fouls that gave them good field position.

Yes it was a team combined effort that lost the game especially the 49ers dbs couldnt stop the LAMBS wideouts. We will be back next year with a better upgrade at QB and DBs.

 

[imjimmy]

Well done Rafa and congratulations to all fellow Rafa fans! I'm really enjoying all these lovely posts.

Sometimes I feel Rafa will give me a heart attack. His mantra seems to be to make his fans suffer as much on TV, as he does on court.

This match should have been won in 4 sets, as opposed to winning in 5 and almost losing it.

In Summary: Rafa still doesn't trust his offensive game enough. He only did in set 3 - from the 0-40 2-3 game. And clearly because there was nowhere else to go.

After that moment, there was no doubt on who the better player was. The fact it was so close was because Rafa got nervous while closing. Some stats below show how the match changed once Rafa backed his game and decided to be consistently offensive.

Rafa made 23 Unforced Errors in just ONE SET (set 1)! He was trying to play safe and outrally Medvedev. And he got broken twice and lost the set.

Avg Rally length in set 1 and set 2: 6.3 to 6.8 shots per point
Avg Rally length in set 4 and set 5: 4.3 to 5.0 shots per point

Rallies lasting 9+ shots in a set:

Set 1: 15
Set 2: 28
Set 4: 12
Set 5: 11

Just goes to show how things changed when Rafa became aggressive. He started to dominate off the ground and take over the match. Medvedev had no answers and the better player won in the end.

Can Rafa do that from the beginning and spare us all the pain and the nail biting? Haha - too much to ask.
But what a victory it has been. Last time he won a match after being 2 sets to 0 down, was 15 years ago in 2007 in Wimbledon! Last time he won the AO was 13 years ago!

I became a Rafa fan in 2004 when I first saw him vs Fed in Miami. It's been 18 years and so much has changed in my life: 2 college degrees, living in 3 continents, relationships formed and broken, friends come and gone, getting older (and not wiser unfortunately) - but the one constant always has been Nadal. Never ceases to amaze and delight even after all these years.

One of the finest victories for Rafa. I would rate it second only to the Wimbledon 2008 Final. An incredible champion who stands at the apex of the sport.
We all doubted his longevity, but he has proved to be the most durable in the end, and given us all much more than we thought possible.

 

[Kieran]

Well done Rafa and congratulations to all fellow Rafa fans! I'm really enjoying all these lovely posts.

Sometimes I feel Rafa will give me a heart attack. His mantra seems to be to make his fans suffer as much on TV, as he does on court.

This match should have been won in 4 sets, as opposed to winning in 5 and almost losing it.

In Summary: Rafa still doesn't trust his offensive game enough. He only did in set 3 - from the 0-40 2-3 game. And clearly because there was nowhere else to go.

After that moment, there was no doubt on who the better player was. The fact it was so close was because Rafa got nervous while closing. Some stats below show how the match changed once Rafa backed his game and decided to be consistently offensive.

Rafa made 23 Unforced Errors in just ONE SET (set 1)! He was trying to play safe and outrally Medvedev. And he got broken twice and lost the set.

Avg Rally length in set 1 and set 2: 6.3 to 6.8 shots per point
Avg Rally length in set 4 and set 5: 4.3 to 5.0 shots per point

Rallies lasting 9+ shots in a set:

Set 1: 15
Set 2: 28
Set 4: 12
Set 5: 11

Just goes to show how things changed when Rafa became aggressive. He started to dominate off the ground and take over the match. Medvedev had no answers and the better player won in the end.

Can Rafa do that from the beginning and spare us all the pain and the nail biting? Haha - too much to ask.
But what a victory it has been. Last time he won a match after being 2 sets to 0 down, was 15 years ago in 2007 in Wimbledon! Last time he won the AO was 13 years ago!

I became a Rafa fan in 2004 when I first saw him vs Fed in Miami. It's been 18 years and so much has changed in my life: 2 college degrees, living in 3 continents, relationships formed and broken, friends come and gone, getting older (and not wiser unfortunately) - but the one constant always has been Nadal. Never ceases to amaze and delight even after all these years.

One of the finest victories for Rafa. I would rate it second only to the Wimbledon 2008 Final. An incredible champion who stands at the apex of the sport.
We all doubted his longevity, but he has proved to be the most durable in the end, and given us all much more than we thought possible.

Great stuff, brother. I got into Rafa about the same time. The 17 year old who beat Roger in Dubai, and swiftly replaced the makeweights as his only credible rival, within a year. You remind me of why yesterday was so special - we thought we’d reached the end of the road. We thought that his final injury was the foot, and his final big match was a defeat at RG against his biggest rival.

This also is the beauty of Rafa’s career - he’s the only member of the Big 3 to have the other 2 as his main rival. They both had only him as their main rival. That makes his record against them both, and his record in GS’s, even more incredible. He’s won one-third of all the slams he’s played, a rate of acquisition only bettered by Borg. And since he won his first slam, he’s had the misfortune to miss 9 others through injury. He’s an incredible champion.

Also, if I may say so, his victory in Australia is widely appreciated beyond the shores of tennis, putting the sport in a much better light than it was at the beginning, when Novak was trying to burgle his way in. I’ve got great respect for Rafa, his honest personality, his modesty and his love for the game, his generosity towards his opponents, his example to young players, and so much more…

 

[Jelenafan]

I just want to say that the Niners Deebo Samuel is a friggin BEAST, a versatile and unstoppable force. He carried them through sheer will through the playoffs, I feel for the guy. ( Nick Bossa, not so much, LOL)

 

[Jelenafan]

We all doubted his longevity, but he has proved to be the most durable in the end, and given us all much more than we thought possible.

I find it ironic that the two players most pundits/experts predicted would not have the long lasting careers at the top, Rafa and Serena, are practically the personification of longevity of the ATP and WTA respectively.

 

[imjimmy]

Great stuff, brother. I got into Rafa about the same time. The 17 year old who beat Roger in Dubai, and swiftly replaced the makeweights as his only credible rival, within a year. You remind me of why yesterday was so special - we thought we’d reached the end of the road. We thought that his final injury was the foot, and his final big match was a defeat at RG against his biggest rival.

This also is the beauty of Rafa’s career - he’s the only member of the Big 3 to have the other 2 as his main rival. They both had only him as their main rival. That makes his record against them both, and his record in GS’s, even more incredible. He’s won one-third of all the slams he’s played, a rate of acquisition only bettered by Borg. And since he won his first slam, he’s had the misfortune to miss 9 others through injury. He’s an incredible champion.

Also, if I may say so, his victory in Australia is widely appreciated beyond the shores of tennis, putting the sport in a much better light than it was at the beginning, when Novak was trying to burgle his way in. I’ve got great respect for Rafa, his honest personality, his modesty and his love for the game, his generosity towards his opponents, his example to young players, and so much more…

Excellent post Kieran. Loved your match post experience as well. The match started at 3:30 AM in my neck of woods. I switch off the TV after Rafa lost set 2. But couldn't sleep and kept refreshing the score. One of the most nerve wracking experiences. When he lost serve at 5-4 in 5th - it all seemed so deja vu of 2012 and 2017 finals. I can totally relate to what you must have been feeling.

Agree 100% on Rafa's records being hampered by injuries. What might he have achieved had he been as fit as Fed/Novak? To date - he has missed more than twice as many slams as Fed/Novak just with retirements/withdrawals etc.

We all love Rafa, not just as a fighter on court, but also his attitude off court. Never broken a racquet, never abused officials, never said bad things to his opponent and never lost his temper. I think the fact that he is fallible: whether with his physical/inefficient playing style or with his constant struggle with nerves, makes him all the more endearing.

Back in the day while discussing with Broken_Shoelace and yourself in 2008/2009 none of us ever believed that he would be close to where he is now. He's won far more than I ever expected and he just never ceases to amaze. Truly inspirational and ever grateful to be a fan..

 

[Kieran]

Excellent post Kieran. Loved your match post experience as well. The match started at 3:30 AM in my neck of woods. I switch off the TV after Rafa lost set 2. But couldn't sleep and kept refreshing the score. One of the most nerve wracking experiences. When he lost serve at 5-4 in 5th - it all seemed so deja vu of 2012 and 2017 finals. I can totally relate to what you must have been feeling.

Agree 100% on Rafa's records being hampered by injuries. What might he have achieved had he been as fit as Fed/Novak? To date - he has missed more than twice as many slams as Fed/Novak just with retirements/withdrawals etc.

We all love Rafa, not just as a fighter on court, but also his attitude off court. Never broken a racquet, never abused officials, never said bad things to his opponent and never lost his temper. I think the fact that he is fallible: whether with his physical/inefficient playing style or with his constant struggle with nerves, makes him all the more endearing.

Back in the day while discussing with Broken_Shoelace and yourself in 2008/2009 none of us ever believed that he would be close to where he is now. He's won far more than I ever expected and he just never ceases to amaze. Truly inspirational and ever grateful to be a fan..

Oh, refreshing the page and staring at the scoreboard, it has to be the most frustrating tennis-based activity ever. It's a bizarre thing for grown up human to be doing. And it sets the heart racing faster than if you're actually watching live. It's like a Chinese torture treatment. A slow-mo drip, drip, drip, drip, drip of constant misery. Did you not get up during the fourth set to watch?

 

[Moxie]

Oh, refreshing the page and staring at the scoreboard, it has to be the most frustrating tennis-based activity ever. It's a bizarre thing for grown up human to be doing. And it sets the heart racing faster than if you're actually watching live. It's like a Chinese torture treatment. A slow-mo drip, drip, drip, drip, drip of constant misery. Did you not get up during the fourth set to watch?

You know you're a die-hard fan when a) you're willing to watch via following scores, and b) still suffer over it. I'm curious, too, if Jimmy put the match back on.

 

[rafanoy1992]

You know you're a die-hard fan when a) you're willing to watch via following scores, and b) still suffer over it. I'm curious, too, if Jimmy put the match back on.

I know for sure, I was pacing myself when Nadal was serving at 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 in the 5th set. That felt like an eternity, darn!

 

[Moxie]

I know for sure, I was pacing myself when Nadal was serving at 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 in the 5th set. That felt like an eternity, darn!

With Rafa's past history of leading in the fifth at the AO, only to lose, there was no safe harbor until it was over. And even then, we kept checking ourselves to believe it.

 

[imjimmy]

Oh, refreshing the page and staring at the scoreboard, it has to be the most frustrating tennis-based activity ever. It's a bizarre thing for grown up human to be doing. And it sets the heart racing faster than if you're actually watching live. It's like a Chinese torture treatment. A slow-mo drip, drip, drip, drip, drip of constant misery. Did you not get up during the fourth set to watch?

I put the match back on and off. Switched it off in set 2 after Rafa lost. However, couldn't stop staring at my phone to see the score.
Had the new Missus sleeping on the side. I was shaking some times with nerves, swearing and fist-pumps -didn't want to wake her up.
Even after Rafa won the 3rd set, I had just expected a 4 set loss and to salvage some pride.

Watched a phone stream with no sound for parts of the 4th.
It was not until the 5-4 game in the 4th - that I switched on the TV completely. I was totally frazzled in this match. How do you explain this to someone who says that why do we care about 2 millionaires hitting a ball over the net? Staring at the score is worse than actually watching the match.

 

[Vince Evert]

One thing that was disappointing about this tournament was the behaviour of fans. It's not only Daniil who complained, but he had a legitimate grievance, even though it's not a unique one. I've seen the fans at RG cheer every point Roger won against Rafa, but it didn't affect Rafa. Daniil needs to not let this periphery stuff get in his way. Huge learning curve for him, but it was sad to watch his presser and he was a little sulky, a little self-pitying, but very hurt by crowd being so vocally against him, to the extent that they were trying to distract him. I thought the umpire did as much as he could.

There was a delay at one point, with security on the court. Did somebody run onto the court?

Mate, Well said. Getting back to your first sentence, I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE...

But, it wasn't only Medvedev but also Danielle COLLINS, in particular the second set, where she was on the verge of winning it , trying to hold serve, the crowds was rude to her also. I found myself feeling sad and sorry for both finalists in various moments of the finals. It wasn't a true Tennis crowd that we've seen or been used to. This year was one of the worst, unruly crowd behaviour and i've seen/heard (on television admittedly) better respect to the rules and spirit of the game, from foreign, partisan davis cup fans. Let's hope the crowds are better behaved in 2023 because TBH if THIS HAPPENS AGAIN? Then Australia DESERVES to loose the Grand Slam.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal 2022 AO championship title victory : " It was an astonishing display of endurance and tactical brilliance." Nuff Said.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Mate, Well said. Getting back to your first sentence, I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE...

But, it wasn't only Medvedev but also Danielle COLLINS, in particular the second set, where she was on the verge of winning it , trying to hold serve, the crowds was rude to her also. I found myself feeling sad and sorry for both finalists in various moments of the finals. It wasn't a true Tennis crowd that we've seen or been used to. This year was one of the worst, unruly crowd behaviour and i've seen/heard (on television admittedly) better respect to the rules and spirit of the game, from foreign, partisan davis cup fans. Let's hope the crowds are better behaved in 2023 because TBH if THIS HAPPENS AGAIN? Then Australia DESERVES to loose the Grand Slam.

I think it is up to the umpire to control crowds,now John Blom in the Mens final warned the crowd he will call security in the match and have the offenders removed.I also feel in Medvedev's s/final match the umpire was too inexpeirenced for starters and should not have received the abuse from Medvedev.,he could not control the fans in the crowd.
This is the AO and Barty was trying to win the title after a 44 year drought....I dont think the crowd was that bad in the women's final.
I also dont think Australia deserves to loose the Grand Slam because of over zealous fans.That is going over the top in my opinion.
I have gone to tournaments around the world and I can tell you that crowds here in Australia are tame compared to other tournaments.

 

[Vince Evert]

I think it is up to the umpire to control crowds,now John Blom in the Mens final warned the crowd he will call security in the match and have the offenders removed.I also feel in Medvedev's s/final match the umpire was too inexperienced for starters and should not have received the abuse from Medvedev.,he could not control the fans in the crowd.
This is the AO and Barty was trying to win the title after a 44 year drought....I dont think the crowd was that bad in the women's final.
I also dont think Australia deserves to loose the Grand Slam because of over zealous fans.That is going over the top in my opinion.
I have gone to tournaments around the world and I can tell you that crowds here in Australia are tame compared to other tournaments.

Thanks Margaret. Well there was a protestor who made it on the court early in the second set , think it was, so Security was already present. Not sure what they could do to have stopped her. But let's hope the crowds behaviour for this year's championship does NOT become the "new normal". I wonder if a part of it could be that Melbournians have been through so much with lockdowns the past two years, indeed Victoria has the reputation of being the most lockdown state in the world. That could account for their attitude this tournament. Because tennis crowds in this country traditionally are always knowledgeable and respect the sport, it's rules and all players.

 

[Vince Evert]

For Nadal fans - I found a couple of videos' i think you'll like.

 

[Vince Evert]

What will be Nadal's new ranking following his record-breaking win?

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think it is up to the umpire to control crowds,now John Blom in the Mens final warned the crowd he will call security in the match and have the offenders removed.I also feel in Medvedev's s/final match the umpire was too inexpeirenced for starters and should not have received the abuse from Medvedev.,he could not control the fans in the crowd.
This is the AO and Barty was trying to win the title after a 44 year drought....I dont think the crowd was that bad in the women's final.
I also dont think Australia deserves to loose the Grand Slam because of over zealous fans.That is going over the top in my opinion.
I have gone to tournaments around the world and I can tell you that crowds here in Australia are tame compared to other tournaments.

If it was FAA or Baby Rafa Carlos Alcarez playing the type of tennis Medvedev was producing, I seriously doubt the AO fans would have reacted the way they did. Daniil was a prick the entire tournament, follow closely by Dennis Shapo antics. They both made Benoit Paire look like a Mormon missionary.

E.g. when you are a tennis player you have to know you can't let your antics surface when you are on foreign ground. Numerous USTA matches on the north and west side of town, my behavior in my youth was not the BEST but my opponents always respected me because I NEVER made it personal against them. As I got older and took my act to the South side of town where they root exclusively ONLY for their fellow residents. I would tone my act down to a model citizen when I played on that side of town. I used their over zealous cheering to motivate me to play harder and keep my focus on dismantling my opponents. Eventually, I was accepted and invited to play all the South side tournaments and join some of their local leagues. My point is tennis fans are looking for good players who can produce excellent tennis not spoil brats who are exceptional tennis players. E.g. Borg and Sampras never got booed to the extent it was very noticeable.