History at Australian Open: Rafael Nadal’s No. 21 arrives in ’22

He took the scenic route, however Rafael Nadal lastly received to the magic variety of 21, breaking the tie along with his nice contemporaries Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Their progress on this Grand Slam race over virtually twenty years has hooked tennis followers and prompted numerous arguments within the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate.
Here’s a have a look at the assorted phases on this unimaginable competitors throughout time:
Federer period (2003-2007)
The Swiss was supreme throughout this era. He gained not less than one Grand Slam title every year, and on three events (2004, 2006 and 2007) three of the 4. In reality, in 2006 and 2007, it was solely losses to Nadal within the French Open finals that prevented Federer from finishing the Calendar Grand Slam. He clinched 12 of his 20 titles throughout this era (3 Australian Opens, 5 Wimbledon crowns, 4 US Opens)
Bipolar rivalry (2008-2010)
Nadal broke on to the scene in 2005, profitable Roland Garros in his first try. He gained it 4 occasions in a row, however was typically thought of solely a clay-court beast until he beat Federer in a memorable Wimbledon remaining in 2008. The two gained 10 out of the 12 Grand Slam titles within the three-year interval. The Swiss gained 4 and the Spaniard six of these.
Three-way contest (2011-2018)
A couple of extra contenders entered the fray (Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic), this era noticed Federer, Nadal and Djokovic monopolizing many of the large titles amongst them. The Serb’s first Grand Slam title was the 2008 Australian Open, nevertheless it was the 2011 season when he became his dominant self, profitable three of the 4 crowns. All three of them took turns to be the highest canine. Of the 32 Grand Slams performed, 25 had been taken by the Three Musketeers. Nadal gained eight of these, nevertheless it was Djokovic who was essentially the most prolific (13 Grand Slam titles). As far as Federer is worried, when he was thought of previous his finest having not gained a giant one for four-and-a-half years, he got here again to win three of 5, ranging from the 2017 Australian Open.
Djokovic period (2019- )
It is a interval throughout which Federer, as a result of his advancing years and age, was not a lot of an element on the Majors. In reality, aside from the nice 2019 Wimbledon remaining, the place he held two match factors earlier than succumbing to Djokovic, the Swiss by no means received shut. The Serb gained six of the Grand Slam titles throughout this era, whereas Nadal stored chipping away being the nice survivor he’s. He has all the time been the largest contender at Roland Garros, however managed to make his presence felt on laborious courts too.
Now, with the French Open subsequent and a query mark on Djokovic’s participation in large occasions as a result of his Covid vaccination standing, Nadal might have a chance to place some daylight between him and the chasing pack, regardless that there are a number of younger challengers on the prowl.