Humility is the foundation of all virtues.
Of all the tennis players, including the Big Three, I think Nadal is one of the most humble and low-key people.
After defeating Shapovalov in five sets in the quarter-finals of this year's Australian Open, Nadal is only two wins away from winning the title. The next two games will be significant for Nadal and will determine whether he can win the 21st Grand Slam and thus become the first man in history.
Nadal certainly wants to do the same, but he insists his career goals have never been to become a record holder.
"I have 20 Grand Slams with Federer and Djokovic, which is equal and the only thing that can be said is that we have shared amazing moments in the history of the sport. It was a real privilege for me to be a part of it. Nadal said.
Before the semi-finals began, Nadal said: "I don't have any hope of winning the Australian Open this year, I just keep going. I just love playing tennis, as I've said hundreds of times. Honestly, I really don't have those expectations from the bottom of my heart. Of course, I want to keep winning, but not just because I want to achieve, or I want to have more than anyone else because I love what I'm doing. I want to continue to do so for as long as possible. ”
"In terms of what's going to happen in the future, honestly, I really don't care that much. I don't think my future happiness depends on whether I get one more Grand Slam than anyone else or whether someone else has more Grand Slams than I do. ”
Commenting on his past career achievements, Nadal said: "I am very satisfied and feel very lucky about all the things that have happened to me. If a neighbor has a bigger house or a better cell phone or something better than you, you can't always be angry about it, can you? If Novak or Roger end their careers with more Grand Slams than I did, I wouldn't be frustrated. Each of us has done something very special in this sport and let's enjoy it. ”
It was with the mentality mentioned above that Nadal began the semi-finals and finals of this year's Australian Open.
In September last year, Nadal underwent surgery on his left foot, and he had to walk on crutches. After recuperating for three months, Nadal went to Abu Dhabi for an exhibition match, losing to Murray and Shapovalov respectively.
After the exhibition match, Nadal was diagnosed with the new crown virus on December 20, and he lay in bed for four days before recovering from the infection after experiencing "three days of physical destruction".
With two losses in the exhibition match and another coronavirus, many fear whether Nadal will skip the Australian Open to focus on clay season. On New Year's Eve, Nadal posted a photo of himself standing at Rodrawall Stadium on social media announcing that he had arrived in Melbourne.
It was Nadal's first ATP 250 race this year and his first tour since Last August in Washington. Nadal won four consecutive games in this tournament, but his competitive form and level are still questionable – the opponents he meets on the road to victory are only ranked 65th.
During the preparations for the Australian Open, the focus was on Djokovic's visa case. After the final deportation of the world number one, the favorite to win the championship became the world's second Medvedev, the No. 3 seed Zverev, the No. 4 seed Tsitsipas and other young players, and few people discussed the No. 6 seed Nadal.
Of Nadal's 20 Grand Slam titles, only one australian open has been won, and his victory in Melbourne dates back to 2009. Moreover, hard court has never been the type of venue that Nadal is good at, and he has won 4 runners-up in the Australian Open finals 5 times, which shows that the Australian Open is not Nadal's blessed land.
Nadal had conceded only one set in the first four rounds of this year's Australian Open before beating Shapovalov in five sets, but he was still not the focus of discussion. More people are talking about whether Medvedev can win a Grand Slam back-to-back, Zverev or Tsitsipas can win his first Grand Slam.
After beating Berrettini in the semi-finals, polls show that only 36 percent believe Nadal will win the title. After the final began, Nadal conceded two sets before the percentage of people who were bullish on his victory dropped to 4 percent. In the third set, 2-3, when the inning was 0-40 behind, almost no one believed that Nadal could reverse.
But once again, Nadal worked wonders. Since 1968, no one has lost two sets in the Australian Open final to win the title. The last to do so was Roy Emerson in the 1965 final against Fred Stolle, and no one has achieved this feat since.
After the final, Nadal said: "Throughout the game, I kept saying to myself that I missed a lot of opportunities here and sometimes I was a little unlucky. I just thought I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I hadn't fought until the last moment. I firmly believe that I can lose the game, he can beat me, but I can never give up. Tonight was unforgettable and I feel very lucky. ”
Federer posted on social media congratulating Nadal on his victory at the Australian Open. "Sincerely wish you to be the first player to win a 21-time Grand Slam title, and a few months ago we were all on crutches. So amazing that you should never underestimate a great champion. Your incredible career, selfless dedication and indomitable spirit of struggle have been an inspiration to me and to countless people around me. ”
Djokovic wrote on social media: "Congratulations to Nadal on winning his 21st Grand Slam title. Amazing achievement. His fighting spirit was always impressive, and once again he won. Medvedev also went all out on the pitch and fought to the final with the passion we were looking forward to. ”
When Djokovic won the Wimbledon title last year, pushing the Big Three's Number of Grand Slams into a "20-20-20" draw, most thought Djokovic would be the first to win 21 Grand Slams.
After losing to Medvedev in the US Open final, it was thought that Djokovic could win his 10th title at this year's Australian Open, taking the lead in refreshing the number of Grand Slams to 21. As for Nadal's performance at the Australian Open this year, the more unanimous view is that it is expected that he can enter the second week, that is, to reach the quarterfinals.
After the Australian Open, seven-time Grand Slam champion and renowned commentator John McEnroe commented on the big three's competitive landscape, "I hope Nadal, Federer and Djokovic will end their careers with the same number of Grand Slams, whether it's 21 or 22 Grand Slam trophies." The American legend believes Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are all unmatched and he doesn't want any of them to be left behind and it would be better if they played a draw to share the glory together.
Before winning the Australian Open, almost no one believed nadal's 21st Grand Slam title was at the Australian Open. Nadal's incredible victory would obviously have a direct impact on Federer and Djokovic. Now that Nadal has made the impossible possible, can Federer, who seems unlikely to win a grand slam again, replicate the same legend?
At present, it is impossible to participate in the French Open and the US Open without vaccination, so will Djokovic change his position on vaccines and vaccinate in order to win a Grand Slam?
In McEnroe's view, Federer's most likely place to win another Grand Slam is Wimbledon, but it depends on his physical recovery. Nadal is more likely to win the French Open than Federer to win the Wimbledon again. In the next three Grand Slams this year, Djokovic is more likely to win Wimbledon and the US Open than Federer and Nadal.
The Big Three have brought tennis into an unprecedented golden age, and the Big Three have all said that the competition between the three of them has made themselves better and stronger. When Nadal takes the lead in breaking the trio's 20-slam draw, Federer and Djokovic will surely draw inspiration, motivation and more motivation.
Inspired, motivated and motivated by a greater generation of players. In last year's French Open final, Tsitsipas was reversed by Djokovic after winning two sets in the first two sets; in this year's Australian Open final, Medvedev was reversed by Nadal after winning two sets. These two tragic experiences prove that the younger generation still lacks a little fire and skill in the face of giants, and they must maintain the belief of victory like the giants, never give up from beginning to end, and only by pushing themselves to the extreme can they win the final victory.
Nadal's experience at this year's Australian Open perfectly illustrates how brave, confident and never give up are important to winning the final success. After winning the success, Nadal's humility, low profile and honesty won the respect of countless people.
The Bible says, "Be humble in your work, and you will be more beloved than the one who gives." The greater you are, the more humble you are in all things; in this way you can receive grace before the Lord. ”
As a man of God, Nadal is practicing his faith with practical actions. (Source: Tennis House Author: Yun Cirrus Yunshu)