Daria Kasatkina: I said long ago Rafael Nadal would have the most Grand Slams

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Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina felt overwhelmed after watching Rafael Nadal get emotional after winning the Australian Open. 

Nadal, 35, was severely hampered by a foot injury throughout the whole 2021. 

Nadal was bothered by his foot at the French Open as he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the semifinal. 

Nadal then took a two-month break, before returning to action in Washington. 

Nadal realized in Washington his foot wasn't where it needed to be as he put an end to his 2021 season. 

Nadal, who was unsure whether he would be able to come back in 2022, decided to give a shot to Australia and there won the Melbourne Summer Set and Australian Open.

"I was overwhelmed with emotions from Rafa's tears. Seeing at 35 a man who has been playing tennis for 20 years and has taken everything he can, has reached all sorts of heights, it is impossible to react differently," said Kasatkina.

Kasatkina inspired by Nadal 

Nadal was on the verge of losing the Australian Open but he pulled off a stunning comeback to beat world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 6-2.

"He even reached the final with tears in his eyes. He has so many emotions. You can see how important it is for him, what he went through for this. It delights me and as a person who has been sick since the cradle, it inspires me," Kasatkina added.

Nadal now owns a record 21 Grand Slam titles and Kasatkina hopes the Spaniard will go down with the most Grand Slams.

"He's always the only one. Even when Nadal only had 14. I always said that he would win the most. And now I'm right. I hope it stays that way. Now the chances of winning Roland Garros have also increased, if health permits. It is important. Because the way he plays now is, of course, not the second, but even the third youth," concluded Kasatkina.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/WYK8Tsk

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