INTERNATIONAL: Rafael Nadal has celebrated his record 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne on Monday ,January 31, posing with the Australian Open trophy on the lawns of the city's Government House.

Nadal has roared back from two sets down to edge Daniil Medvedev in a classic Australian Open final and claim his second Australian Open title only months after fearing his glorious career might be over.

With Novak Djokovic forced out by deportation and Roger Federer recovering from knee surgery, the Spanish great is now one major title clear of his 'Big Three' rivals after surviving the 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 thriller at Rod Laver Arena that stretched into a five-hour 24-minute epic.

"I tried very hard during all my career here in Australia and finally was probably the most unexpected year for me to achieve one more time this beautiful trophy," Nadal has told reporters.