AN EMOTIONAL Rafael Nadal labelled his epic US Open final win over Daniil Medvedev a “crazy match” after clinching his 19th grand slam title.
Nadal edged Medvedev 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 in an extraordinary decider that lasted four hours, 49 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium last night, moving within one of Roger Federer’s tally of 20 major titles.
The Spanish great gave up a two-sets-to-love lead and then saw Medvedev rally from 5-2 down before he closed out his fourth US Open title.
Nadal said it was an incredible encounter and he paid tribute to Medvedev, who has the most wins on the ATP Tour this year.
“This victory means a lot, especially the way the match became so difficult, so tough,” he said in an on-court interview.
“I was able to hold at the end the nerves because the nerves were so high after having the match almost under control, 5-2, 5-4, break point. It has been a crazy match. I’m just emotional.”
Nadal added: “It was an amazing final. It seemed that I had more or less the match under control, but honestly first word I have to say is to Daniil.
“His summer is just one of the best summers I ever saw in this sport since I was playing so, everybody saw why he is the number four player in the world already, only at 23 years old, so many congratulations for everything.”
A video was played in Arthur Ashe after the final, with each of Nadal’s grand slam titles featured in an emotional tribute.
The 33-year-old, who received multiple time violations during the final, had special thanks for the crowd in New York.
“It has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career,” Nadal said.
“With that video, with all the support, all of you guys have been just amazing. Normally, I take it for the last thing but today it’s going to be the first thing, thank you very, very much everybody in this stadium, [you] have been amazing energy.
“It’s a real pleasure and honour to play in front of all of you in this amazing stadium. I think there is not one stadium that is more energetic than this one so many, many thanks for everything.”
There’s a good argument to be made that Nadal is the GOAT. He’s a machine. 19 grand slams and he was off injured for a long spell.
@Gary O’Hanlon: agreed, also quite a few of Rogers slams came against Roddick and Hewitt before Nadal arrived on the scene. Gotta love both though, hope they finish ahead of Novak!
@Gary O’Hanlon: and more or less guaranteed to overtake federer with his record in the French open.
@Chris Rea: Nadal is definitely the goat on clay but overall no way. 2/3′s of his slams came on clay. Federer also has 20 more atp tour wins than Nadal. Overall for me it’s Federer.
in saying that, what an era we had. heard on radio this morning that over the last 16 years, Fed, Nadal and Djokovic have won 55 of the 64 slams.
@Ardmore02: i would tend to agree with you . Federer as a player is just so elegant , Rafa is a physical colossus and with amazing mental preparation. Both are good people off the court too. Nadal will probably overtake Federer but maybe by one trophy. He’s getting older and may only have a year maybe two left in the tank .
@Ardmore02: Nadal beat Federer at his peak on grass in a Wimbledon. Fed never managed that v Nadal on grass. He’s a better head to head record against Fed. Two amazing players but for Nadal to get to 19 with his injuries is incredible.
@Ardmore02: who won the other nine,Ill start…..Murray…next…
@Gerry Campbell: Murray x 3, Stan x 2, Delpo, Cilic…. Did Nishi win one?!
@Gary O’Hanlon: Fed beat Nadal on Grass in the 2006 and 2007 Wimbledon final if I remember correctly
@Alan Brazil: yeah I assume he meant to say Clay to have both beaten on their best surface but I don’t know what their head to head record is on clay either
@Barry Hickey: Stan has 3 slams. He’s won everything except Wimbledon.
@Alan Brazil: Federer lost to Nadal in 2008 a game that many consider to be the greatest of all time. As far as I know Federer has never beaten Nadal at The French Open. I think Nadal has him 6/0. Two all time greats and Federer is maybe easier on the eye but Nadal is a just a machine.
@Alan Brazil: sorry meant clay in the original comment. Nadal never lost to Federer on clay at Roland-Garros
What a tennis match. Medvedev pushed him all the way when it looked like it was going to be a run of the mill, fairly boring 3-setter. Full credit to Nadal for grinding it out in the end. The top 3 are a class apart. Epic era for the men’s game.
I used to love Nadal bit he gets away with far too much time wasting. He’s a great character off court. Humble and generous but he he’s an absolute ocd pain on it. Complete transformation. And that’s the key to his success.