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Up Next for Rafael Nadal? His Specialty, the French Open.

Nadal could strike quickly for Grand Slam singles title No. 22, particularly if Novak Djokovic, the only man to beat him twice in Paris, is unable to play because he remains unvaccinated.

Rafael Nadal after beating Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.Credit...Alana Holmberg for The New York Times

MELBOURNE, Australia — After Rafael Nadal’s stupendous comeback in the Australian Open final on Sunday night, it is he — not Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer — who is the first man to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles.

Fairly or unfairly, it is the tennis record that matters most these days.