“I am going to play again against one of the greatest players and again against a player who is going to try to win his 21st Grand Slam,” recalled the 25-year-old Russian, referring to his final win at the last US Open.
On that occasion he deprived the Serbian of a 21st ‘Great’ but also of the feat of conquering the four Grand Slams of the year, after the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
The difference is that in New York, Medvedev was the underdog, a status he cannot escape this time in Melbourne.
“My goal is not to deprive Rafa of a 21st Grand Slam title, but to win my match,” said the Russian, who could become the first player in the ‘Open era’ (since 1968) to win his two consecutive titles. first ‘big ones’.
The world number is ten years younger than Nadal (35 years old) and comes from an exceptional 2021 season, in which he signed his best performances in each of the four Grand Slams: Australian Open final (lost to Djokovic) , fourth at Roland Garros (stopped by Stefanos Tsitsipas), eighth at Wimbledon (overtaken by Hubert Hurkacz) and first Grand Slam title at the US Open (by defeating Djokovic in the final).
Nadal will surely have taken note and will know that he will only have a chance of winning if he plays at his best level, although he may have less pressure than his opponent since last year he did not play for six months due to a foot injury, and he also suffered from the Covid-19 in December, so this great performance is almost unexpected.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be my last chance or not. A short time ago it seemed like there would be no other chance, and now we’re here. Honestly, I don’t know what’s at stake. It’s a semi-miracle. I’m incredibly happy and enjoying this moment. That doesn’t take away from me that I’m excited and wanting to make this last effort to give myself an opportunity,” said the Spaniard.
His victory against the Italian Matteo Berrettini yesterday plays in his favor, which was less costly in terms of energy than the quarterfinal against Denis Shapovalov.
In addition to a 21st Grand Slam title, a victory on Sunday would allow Nadal to become only the second player in the Open era, and the fourth in history, to have won at least twice each of the four Grand Slams, something that Djokovic did last year when he conquered Roland Garros for the second time.
Precisely the Serbian is the great absentee from this contest, due to his remembered affair with the Australian immigration authorities, as a result of not having been vaccinated against Covid-19 and presenting a certificate that was insufficient.
Source: Ambito
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