Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have paid tribute to the 2022 Australian Open men's champion Rafael Nadal after being the first to claim 21 grand slam victories.
The three great rivals were all locked at 20 grand slam wins each and the world watched on Sunday night as the Spaniard took the reigns to smash through the historic record on Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.
Federer, who missed the Open due to knee surgery, took to his Instagram story to praise Nadal, who he has described as "a great champion".
"To my friend and great rival, Rafael Nadal. Heartfelt congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles.
Roger Federer posted his praise for Nadal on Instagram. Source: Roger Federer/Instagram
"A few months ago we were joking about both being on crutches. Amazing. Never underestimate a great champion.
"Your incredible work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspiration to me and countless others around the world.
"I am proud to share this era with you and honoured to play a role in pushing you to achieve more. As you have done for me for the past 18 years.
"I am sure you have more achievements ahead but for now enjoy this one!"
Djokovic described his old foe's comeback triumph over Daniil Medvedev as "amazing".
"Congratulations to [Rafael Nadal] for 21st GS," Djokovic posted on social media. "Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time."
Djokovic, who was the favourite to win the grand slam in 2022, was deported from Australia ahead of the tournament in an international visa scandal after it was revealed he did not receive his COVID-19 vaccinations.
Rod Laver, who watched the triumph in the stadium named after him at Melbourne Park, tweeted to Nadal that it had been his "privilege to watch you doing what you love".
Three-time Australian Open champion Mats Wilander felt Nadal's fightback from two sets down was the best comeback in the history of the Open era.
The match was the second-longest in grand slam finals history, taking five hours and 24 minutes, trailing only to Nadal's loss in the Australian Open 10 years ago, losing to Djokovic in yet another five-set thriller (five hours and 53 minutes).
Two-time Czech grand slam women's champion Petra Kvitova thanked Nadal for the resilience he has demonstrated on court.
"Rafa, your spirit and fight has no limit. You are a true inspiration to us all. Thank you for teaching us what it means to never give up," she wrote on Twitter.
Boris Becker, Djokovic's former coach, made the observation that Nadal might now have to be considered more than just the 'king of clay' - a nickname he has worn after claiming an unprecedented 13 French Open triumphs.
"You make a mistake if you still call Rafa the clay court king," said the German great.
"He has won on every surface and every grand slam tournament at least twice. He is the most successful player of all time, we can say that loud and clear."
Former US women's champion Chris Evert described Nadal's five-and-a-half hour defiant effort as "heroic", while fellow women's great Billie-Jean King saluted his "grit, guts, spirit and determination".
With AAP.
