Former world number 1 Bjorn Borg thought he saw “the real Rafael Nadal” in Australia. After playing just one event in the second half of the 2021 season, Nadal made his return to Australia. Nadal enjoyed a stunning return to tennis winning back-to-back Melbourne Summer Set and Australian Open titles.

Nadal’s victory at the Australian Open was particularly stunning as he recovered from two sets losses in the final to beat world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev. Nadal won a record 21st Grand Slam title with his victory at the Australian Open.

“I watched most of his games from my home in Stockholm,” Borg told Marca, according to Sportskeeda. “And the best news for him is that he has regained the mobility of a few years ago. When I saw him play at the last Roland Garros, he wasn’t moving the same way and that’s maybe one of the reasons why he lost to Djokovic.

What I don’t know is if he was injured. In Australia, I saw the real Rafael Nadal again.”

Nadal pulled off a stunning comeback

Nadal was down two sets and Medvedev had a 3-2 lead in the third and three straight break points in the sixth game.

Nadal saved those three consecutive break points and it was the start of a historic comeback. “It was one of the most emotional matches of my career,” Nadal said at the award ceremony. “Sharing the pitch with Daniil was just an honor.

It’s amazing. To be honest, a month and a half ago I wasn’t sure if I could return to the Tour playing tennis. But today I am here in front of you all with this trophy in front of me. You are just amazing, thank you so much”.