AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022 
- AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022
January 17-30, 2022. What an eventful and dramatic two weeks in the history of Australian Open Tennis. Every topic was in conversation: patriotism, sportsmanship, 
triumph, politics, loyalty, discrimination. The drama started long before a single tennis ball was hit on the tennis court, when the unvaccinated (COVID-19) world No. 1 and defending champion, Novak Djokovic, landed at the Melbourne airport and ended with Rafael Nadal’s men’s singles triumph and Ashleigh Barty’s triumphant home court win. Women’s singles world number one player Ashleigh Barty defeated American Danielle Collins in the finals by 6-3 7-6 (7-2). She won the championship without losing a single set in the tournament. Ashleigh became the first Australian woman to win the home tournament since her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley did it in 1977. “This is a dream come true for me. I am so proud of being Aussie,” said Barty. She won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021. By winning the men’s singles championship, Nadal became the first men’s tennis player to earn the record-breaking 21st grand slam title. Nadal rallied from two sets down to defeat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the finals. Medvedev was in command to win his second consecutive grand slam before Nadal showed his experience and grit to make history. Nadal missed the 2021 Wimbledon and US Open due to a persistent foot injury. He contracted COVID-19 weeks before the Australian Open. “I am physically destroyed,” Nadal said after winning. But you are mentally stronger than ever, champion! Congratulations!!
