Rafael Nadal is one step away from winning his 21st major at the Australian Open if he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final on Sunday. If the Spanish legend wins the first major of the year, he will be the man holding more slams titles in singles surpassing Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (both stuck with 20).

Many think that having more slams titles in singles means being also the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). Tennis legend David Ferrer explains why Rafa is so close to becoming the GOAT. The Spanish player commented:

“For me, if Rafa wins tomorrow, the debate of the GOAT is over. From then on, and unless Djokovic beats him, Nadal will be the best in history.

Tennis is about victories, the most important titles, and since he has won them all, he would naturally be the best in history.”

Nadal at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2022

Ranked no.5, the Spaniard has a 9-0 win-loss record in 2022. Rafael is now having a run at the Australian Open where he beat Marcos Giron 6-1 6-4 6-2, Yannick Hanfmann 6-2 6-3 6-4, Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1, Adrian Mannarino 7-6¹⁴ 6-2 6-2, Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 and Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Rafael Nadal will compete against the world no.2 Daniil Medvedev in the final on Sunday at 7:30 pm on Rod Laver Arena. Their current record is 3-1 for Nadal.

The Spaniard conquered 1 title in 2022 in Melbourne.

The Spaniard won 89 titles in his career: 22 on hard courts, 62 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)

Novak Djokovic in 2022

Now the world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 3^rd of December 2021 when he beat world no.27 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-2 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).

This year Novak achieved a 0-0 match record.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic clashed against each other 58 times. The head to head is 30-28 for Djokovic. Before, the last time they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 3-6 6-3 7-6(4) 6-2 in the semifinal in Paris (French Open) in June 2021.

In the video below you can watch the highlights.

Roger Federer in 2022

Now the world no.17, the Swiss played his last match on the 7^th of July 2021 when he was overcome by world no.11 Hubert Hurkacz 6-3 7-6(4) 6-0 in the quarter in Wimbledon (draw).

This year Federer has a 0-0 match record.