Nadal Wins 21st Grand Slam To Add To 'Big Titles' Count
Rafael Nadal won a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title on Sunday at the Australian Open, breaking a tie with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for the most major men’s singles trophies in history.
The Spaniard now has 58 ‘Big Titles’, putting him four behind Djokovic (62) and four clear of Roger Federer (54). A ‘Big Title’ is a trophy at a Grand Slam championship, the Nitto ATP Finals, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament or an Olympic singles gold medal.
The 35-year-old rallied from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 after five hours and 24 minutes. With his second title at Melbourne Park, Nadal is the fourth man in history to capture at least two trophies at all four Slams.
This was Nadal’s first victory at a major since Roland Garros in 2020. The legendary lefty missed five months at the end of last season due to a left foot injury.
Djokovic has the best ‘Big Titles’ win-rate at one title won per 3.3 events played (62/202), while Nadal has claimed a ‘Big Title’ for every 3.5 tournaments played at this level (58/198). Only two other players have converted more than once per five events: Roger Federer (4.4, 54/240) and Pete Sampras (4.9, 30/147).
Current and Former Champions’ Big Titles Won (Records Since 1990)
| Player | Grand Slams | Nitto ATP Finals | 1000s | Total^ (Avg) |
| Novak Djokovic | 20/65 | 5/14 | 36/119 | 62/202 (3.3) |
| Rafael Nadal | 21/63 | 0/10 | 36/123 | 58/198 (3.4) |
| Roger Federer | 20/80 | 6/17 | 28/138 | 54/240 (4.4) |
| Pete Sampras | 14/52 | 5/11 | 11/83 | 30/147 (4.9) |
| Andre Agassi | 8/61 | 1/13 | 17/90 | 27/164 (6.1) |
| Andy Murray | 3/53 | 1/8 | 14/103 | 20/167 (8.4) |
| Boris Becker* | 2/26 | 2/6 | 5/51 | 9/84 (9.3) |
| Thomas Muster | 1/29 | 0/4 | 8/53 | 9/87 (9.7) |
| Stefan Edberg** | 3/28 | 0/4 | 4/45 | 7/79 (11.3) |
| Gustavo Kuerten | 3/33 | 1/3 | 5/67 | 9/105 (11.6) |
| Jim Courier | 4/38 | 0/4 | 5/71 | 9/114 (12.6) |
| Marcelo Rios | 0/26 | 0/1 | 5/56 | 5/84 (16.8) |
| Marat Safin | 2/41 | 0/3 | 5/87 | 7/133 (19) |
| Michael Chang*** | 0/50 | 0/6 | 7/86 | 7/144 (20.6) |
| Andy Roddick | 1/46 | 0/6 | 5/75 | 6/129 (22.5) |
^ Includes Olympic Games gold medals and tournament participations
* Becker’s four other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
** Edberg’s three other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
*** Chang’s one Grand Slam title came before 1990