Jan 30, 2022 - Sports

Rafael Nadal wins Australian Open final, breaking Grand Slam record

Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Daniil Medvedev during their men's singles final match at the Australian Open. Photo: William West/AFP via Getty

Spain's Rafael Nadal beat Daniil Medvedev late Sunday to win the 2022 Australian Open men's singles.

Why it matters: Nadal, 35, claims his 21st Grand Slam title, breaking a three-way record for most titles that he held with Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Switzerland's Roger Federer.

  • The win was also Nadal's second Australian Open title.

The big picture: Djokovic was unable to compete in this year's Australian Open over his refusal to receive a coronavirus vaccine, while Federer has yet to return to the court since having knee surgery in August 2021.

Go deeper: The Djokovic debacle

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