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Chilean tennis star Nicolas Jarry was one of many that were absolutely impressed by what Rafael Nadal did at the Australian Open. Nadal, a former world No. 1, put an end to his 2021 season in August due to a foot injury. After the French Open, Nadal played in only one tournament in the rest of 2021 as he was severely hampered by a foot issue.
Nadal admitted he was unsure whether he would be able to make a comeback in 2022. Nadal returned to action at the Melbourne Summer Set, where he won it all after beating Maxime Cressy in the final. Nadal then beat Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam.
"A few months ago he didn't know if he was going to be able to continue playing tennis and he goes there, with what he has, fights, match by match and ends up taking it all," Jarry told the ATP Tour en Espanol website.
Nadal pulled off a stunning comeback
Nadal recovered from two sets down to beat Medvedev 2-6 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 7-5.
After the match, Medvedev said Nadal was "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."