Nadal Wins 89th Career ATP Title, Takes Down Cressy In Melbourne
Rafael Nadal’s return to tennis couldn’t have gone better. In his first event since August, the former No. 1 rolled to the Melbourne warm-up title on Rod Laver Arena after toppling Maxime Cressy 7-6(6), 6-3.
Nadal only played three matches — received a bye and got a walkover — but didn’t drop a set. Today, he connected with nine aces, was broken once to go with 33 winners and just 7 unforced.
The hard-charging, serve-and-volley specialist Cressy, who was appearing in his first ATP final, led with a break in the second but failed to hold it.
Down a break 2-1, Nadal won five of the last six games.
“I want to thank all the organization here,” Nadal told the crowd. “I feel privileged and a very lucky guy to be here again. I am coming back from some challenging moments in terms of injuries, so I can’t be happier. It means a lot to be back and with a trophy in my hands.
“This court has always been very, very special for me,” he added.. “The Rod Laver Arena is very, very special for everyone and it is more special because of you guys. You guys are a great crowd and I can’t thank you enough.”
Nadal now has won at least one title in each of the last 19 years. It’s also his first title in Australia since his 2009 triumph in Melbourne.
“It means a lot to be back with a trophy in my hands after everything. This court has been always very, very special for me. I’ve enjoyed unbelievable moments here,” Nadal added.
Cressy, who said a day earlier he felt he had the game to beat Nadal, was in awe of facing the legend.
“First time playing in this kind of environment for me and I’ve been honored to play Rafael Nadal. I’ve been dreaming of these moments of playing on big stages my entire life and it’s finally happening again,” Cressy said.
“I know it’s not easy to play a serve-and-volleyer these days, especially now that they’re gone.”
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