Rafael Nadal has become the most successful men’s singles player ever when he came from behind to beat Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the final of the the 2022 Australian Open.
This was Nadal's 21st Grand Slam win. He is now one ahead of his two great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
None of his previous wins were as hard-fought as this as. Nadal, 35, came from two sets down to win after five hours and 21 minutes on court.
Sadly, not all the crowd who had paid top dollar for the seats on the centre court in Melbourne were there at the end to see it.
With the match finishing after 1.20 am local time, those reliant on public transport or had to leave early for work next day, had to leave the match halfway through to catch the last train home.
It had all seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago. Nadal had missed the last six months of last season with a foot injury. At one stage, he doubted if he would compete again at the top level. And he caught Covid-19 just before Christmas, setting his preparations back even further.
Medvedev, the Russian, was bidding for his second Grand Slam. He seemed to have things well under control when he breezed through the first set for the loss of just two games.
The second set was closer, but when the Medvedev claimed it on a tie-break, the writing seemed on the wall for Nadal.
Nadal, though, is not a multi-time champion for nothing. He came fighting back to take the third set and then the fourth, taking it into a decider.
He went a break up, served for the match and was within two points of the title, when Medvedev broke back.
Just though when the momentum seemed to have shifted in Medvedev's favour, Nadal found hidden reserves of energy and determination and broke once more. This time he made no mistake, serving out to love to seal his place in the history books.
Medvedev will have other chances to win Grand Slams, but that was Nadal’s night.