Australian Open: Nadal, Djokovic and character plot twists

For those partial to happy endings, the world of professional sports is notoriously strewn with heartbreak. At a time when athletes seem to relish their antihero role, exploiting their celebrity for special favor, sounding off on controversial subjects they know little about and acting as though they’re bigger than the sport that made them famous in the first place, the Australian Open showed just how satisfying it can be when role models like Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty triumph. Ashleigh Barty of Australia celebrates match point in her Women’s Singles Final match against Danielle Collins of United States during day 13 of the 2022 Australian Open. Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their men’s singles final match on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Sports Rafael Nadal wins Australian Open for 21st major title Rafael Nadal has broken the men’s record for most Grand Slam singles titles, but he had to come back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev.