How Rafael Nadal, Ash Barty et al electrified the 2022 Australian Open - at a time when tennis needed it most

It seemed impossible that the 2022 Australian Open would ever be separated from the saga surrounding Novak Djokovic’s week-long stay in Melbourne. Even as Rafael Nadal insisted in the build-up that the Australian Open is “much more important than any player”, it didn’t feel that way. Ad/> Something exceptional needed to happen to move the discussion on.

And it did. Australian Open'Unbelievable motivation' — Corretja expects Nadal to be inspired by Australian Open win11 HOURS AGO «My favourite story of the tournament is that tennis prevails,” said Eurosport expert Alex Corretja, who was overcome with emotion as his compatriot Nadal secured a heroic and historic 21st Grand Slam title. »Tennis brings joy to people.

It brings a lot of emotions and feelings and intensity. Players need to suffer and get through difficult moments and find solutions. The matches are long and can go back and forth, and you need to hang in there and work so hard.

«This is the most important thing: that they are enjoying the tournament so much. This is a very unique sport and we are very grateful to be part of it.» Tennis needed this. A tournament so mesmerising, so captivating, full of so many incredible moments, that it now seems easy to separate the first half of January with the second half.