Rafael Nadal is chasing a record 21st Grand Slam crown in Sunday’s Australian Open final, but Daniil Medvedev is once again ready to act as the spoiler.
The Spanish great, who can win a record 21st Grand Slam title in Sunday’s Australian Open final, constantly picks at the rear of his shorts, wipes sweat from his brow and pushes hair back behind his ears before every serve.
Superstitious rituals
At changeovers he superstitiously refuses to step on the lines and devotedly lines up his drinks bottles, labels always facing out, before stepping back into action. Quiet and modest off the court, his mannerisms on it demonstrate that he leaves nothing to chance in his relentless pursuit of tennis glory.
Quarter-final opponent Denis Shapovalov became unsettled at Nadal’s fidgeting and wanted him given a code violation for pushing the 25-second serve clock to the limit. The young Canadian complained that the Spanish great was given preferential treatment because of his status in the game.
The Spanish gladiator is also humble away from the cauldron of the world’s tennis coliseums. “I have doubts every day but that’s good as it makes me work hard with more intensity,” said Nadal, whose career has been constantly under siege from knee, wrist and foot injuries. “Life is never clear. If you have no doubts, then you are very arrogant. I am not an arrogant person.”
Kyrgios wins doubles title
Meanwhile, Australian bad boys Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis won the men’s doubles title, beating Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell 7-6, 6-4. in 1hr 35min on Rod Laver Arena. The pair, especially Kyrgios, had come in for plenty of criticism for their antics during their run to the final.
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