Tennis legend John McEnroe is in awe of Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard nears a famous Australian Open title, emulating Roger Federer’s own stirring win Down Under in 2017.
Nadal will move clear of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer atop the all-time ratings if he secures a 21st career Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. The Spaniard has impressed throughout the tournament, dropping just four sets en route to a final berth.
He is chasing a second title at the Rod Laver Arena after winning the Australian Open back in 2009 - and Nadal has reached the final following a four-set triumph over Matteo Berrettini. Nadal saw off the 25-year-old in a fairly straightforward contest, triumphing 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3.
It means Nadal will contest the Australian Open final for the sixth time - his 29th Grand Slam final - and McEnroe heaped praise on the Spaniard for his incredible achievement.
“I don’t know what it means for the history of tennis, these guys are just incredible what they keep doing,” McEnroe said on Eurosport .
“It started out as a complete and utter train wreck with Djokovic when he was down there and all we were talking about was him and how he was the guy who was going to go and make history and break the record.
“But they forgot to mention that Rafael Nadal was there, who hasn’t played in six months.
“Who is the last guy who didn’t play for six months and then went on to win the Australian Open?
“His name was Roger Federer.”
Back in 2016, Federer was forced to prematurely end his season due to a knee injury. Many believed the Swiss star would never win a Grand Slam title again following a drought of over four years at the age of 35, but Federer returned following a six-month absence to win a fifth Australian Open title by defeating Nadal.
Nadal ended his 2021 season early due to injury back in August, spending five months on the sidelines. The 35-year-old could now replicate Federer’s remarkable achievement by winning a record 21st men’s Major title in the process.
“All of a sudden things have fallen into place for Rafa who has to be the humblest, classiest champion of almost any athlete I’ve ever seen in any sport,” McEnroe added.
“It’s well-deserved for a guy to do this like Rafa Nadal, you can see how much it meant to him to get to the finals again.”
Nadal will face either US Open champion and world number two Daniil Medvedev or world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday.
