Rafael Nadal captured a men's record 21st Grand Slam crown winning a breathtaking battle vs. Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.
It was Nadal's second Australian Open crown coming 13 years after he edged rival Roger Fedeer in the 2009 title match.
Nadal has been armed with a vital accomplice—his Babolat racquet—for all 21 Grand Slam titles.
Babolat celebrates the 35-year-old Spaniard's historic triumph with this video tribute taking us back through all of Rafa's memorable major titles.
"Rafa’s victory is extraordinary! Babolat teams around the world are immensely proud of him. They watched Rafa grow up and share in the celebration of his historic milestone," Babolat President Eric Babolat said. "It is an incredible privilege and honor to contribute to the success of such an illustrious athlete."
Babolat says its long-standing relationship with the Spanish champion "is grounded in an unwavering trust and open communication which have enabled [us] to support the evolution of his game over the years."
This materialized in 2003 with the development of the Aero racquet frame designed to produce a powerful topspin. It was immediately adopted by Rafa Nadal, becoming a formidable weapon to unseat his opponents. With this same collaborative spirit, Babolat developed a new string dedicated to spin: the RPM Blast. After one test in 2009, Rafa adopted it as the “ engine ” of his frame.
Since early 2021, Rafa has been play ing with a signature version of the Pure Aero racquet developed in close collaboration with Babolat: the Pure Aero Rafa. This first Rafael Nadal signature racquet, with graphics reflecting his personality and distinctive game, expresses the brand's bond with this incomparable player and champion.
Photo credit: Babolat