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Rafael Nadal hailed by Manchester United and Real Madrid stars after Herculean Australian Open victory to take him to 21 Grand Slam titles

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Rafael Nadal did the unthinkable on Sunday as he produced a comeback of epic proportions to win the Australian Open.

It will go down in history as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals ever, not just because of the ridiculous tennis on display but also what was at stake.


Nadal claimed his second Australian Open title in Melbourne

Getty

Nadal was bidding to win his 21st Grand Slam title and overtake his career rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

The 35-year-old has been blighted by injury problems over recent months that saw him miss the Olympics, Wimbledon and the US Open.

He admitted he thought this may be his last Australian Open, but had a dream run while down under that showed he’s not finished yet.

He was two sets down against Daniil Medvedev before dragging himself back in a gruelling five-and-a-half hour contest.


Nadal’s comeback was nothing short of spectacular against Medvedev

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The the praise came flooding in for Nadal for his truly herculean effort to win in Melbourne for just the second time.

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea said: “I LOVE tennis.”

He then followed it up with: “Never give up. Never stop believing. Thank you, Rafael Nadal.”

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos added: “Rafael Nadal. That’s the tweet.” 

A social media post that was liked more than 250,000 times.

Nadal is a huge Madrid fan and the club tweeted their congratulations to the tennis star following his victory.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar wrote on Twitter: “That is absolutely magnificent. Stunning to say the least.

“From 2 sets down to come back and win your 21st Grand Slam is incredible. Congratulations @RafaelNadal!”

Many have now pinned Nadal as the best in history after winning his 21st Grand Slam title, but the Spaniard said it was even more special to get a second Australian Open.


Nadal won his 21st Grand Slam title to go ahead of Djokovic and Federer

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He said: “Of course, for me it’s amazing to achieve another grand slam at this moment of my career. I know it’s a special number, 21. It’s a big significance, this title.

“I feel honoured. I feel lucky to achieve one more very special thing in my tennis career. I don’t care much if I am the one or not the one, or the best of the history, not the best of the history.

“For me it’s about enjoying nights like today. That means everything for me. It means even more to achieve the second Australian Open more than any other thing.”

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Source: TalkSport.com Tennis