Advertisement

Rafa Nadal stuns fans with rare 'F-bomb' in cheeky Aus Open interview

Rafa Nadal (pictured) smiling after swearing on live TV after the Australian Open.
Rafa Nadal (pictured) dropped a rare 'F-bomb' during a post-match interview after his enthralling Australian Open comeback win against Daniil Medvedev. (Images: Eurosport)

Rafa Nadal had fans in stitches after he saved a rare moment during his post-match interview after he won the Australian Open title in remarkable circumstances.

Nadal is savouring the "greatest comeback" of his sparkling career after defeating Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in a drama-charged climax at Melbourne Park in Sunday night's final.

HUGE: Novak Djokovic's classy act after Rafa Nadal's Aus Open triumph

'MY GOD': Aus Open final rocked by mid-match court invasion

The inspirational Spaniard was able to come from two sets down for the first time in 15 years and the epic turnaround marked a special moment in tennis history.

The landmark victory in a five-hour, 24-minute war of attrition that finished past midnight on Monday morning vaulted the Spaniard one slam clear of great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the all-time major titles leaderboard.

The Spaniard was overcome with emotion after admitting multiple times during the tournament, and during his victory speech, that he didn't think he would have been in this position after spending six months off tour with a serious foot injury.

After leaving Rod Laver court, Nadal joined the Eurosport team for an interview after the match.

Exhausted and overcome with emotion, the Spaniard let slip during the interview with a rarely seen moment from the often cool, calm and collected champion.

He dropped an 'F-bomb'.

When asked about how he was feeling after being broken in the deciding set, Nadal said he couldn't help but think back to the 2012 and 2017 Australian Open finals.

"After that I said, 'F**k, one more time a break up in the fifth & I'm going to lose again, like in 2012, like in 2017,'" Nadal said.

The moment drew a sly chuckle from the Eurosport team and fans.

Nadal went on to admit he was lost and "nervous" when serving for the match, but the resilient Spaniard was able to break Medvedev and eventually serve out the championship.

Rafa Nadal receives messages from Federer and Djokovic

Following his famous victory, which takes him one ahead of both Federer and Djokovic on grand slam titles, the pair sent him a message.

Federer congratulated his 'friend' after the moment.

"To my friend and great rival Rafael Nadal, heartfelt congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles," 40-year-old Federer posted on Instagram.

"A few months ago we were joking about both being on crutches, amazing. Never underestimate a great champion.

β€œYour incredible work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspirational to me and countless others around the world.

Rafael Nadal (pictured) falls to the ground and celebrates winning the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal (pictured) celebrates winning the men's singles final match against Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open. (Photo by MARTIN KEEP/AFP via Getty Images) (MARTIN KEEP via Getty Images)

β€œI 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."

Djokovic took to Twitter to hail Nadal's 'amazing' achievement, also congratulating Ash Barty on winning the women's title.

"Congratulations to Rafael Nadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement,” he wrote.

β€œAlways impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time.

"Daniel Medvedev gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him."

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.