2022 Australian Open - Rafael Nadal creates history, what's next for Novak Djokovic and more big moments

MELBOURNE, Australia — Rafael Nadal has achieved many astonishing feats on a tennis court, but none more so than what took place on Rod Laver Arena in Sunday's breathtaking Australian Open final.

Down two sets to love and facing three break points early in the third set, Nadal's quest for a second title at Melbourne Park, and a men's record 21st major, had all but gone up in smoke. The Spaniard had given everything in the first two frames but fell agonizingly short on both occasions. Meanwhile, on the other side of the net, Daniil Medvedev was doing what Daniil Medvedev does — returning every single ball, from all corners of the court.

You could have easily forgiven Nadal for waving the white flag and falling gallantly in three sets to a man who has won more matches on hard courts than anyone else over the past three years. After all, just six weeks earlier, Nadal was wondering whether he would ever play tennis again. But you don't put yourself in your sport's greatest-of-all-time discussion without a great deal of resilience.

Nadal saved all three break points, and a fourth, for good measure, before holding serve to stay level in the third set. There was the faintest of heartbeats.

Three hours later, and with the match clock beaming 5:24 — the second-longest Slam final in history — Nadal dropped his racket, fell to his knees and let the emotion pour out, as a chorus of cheers rained down from the packed grandstands. He was a two-time Australian Open champion and had moved ahead of long-time rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with that elusive 21st Slam.

What a final