Tennis fans, rejoice: Rafael Nadal has arrived in Melbourne, setting the stage for the electrifying ‘Night of Legends’ on the eve of the Australian Open 2025 men’s singles showdown. The 22-time Grand Slam titan, fresh off his 2024 retirement, touched base Saturday, with Roland Garros fueling the hype via a viral X video of his landing.
As Djokovic and Alcaraz gear up for their final clash—25 majors vs. world No. 1 supremacy—Nadal joins forces with Ashley Barty and Dylan Alcott for a pre-match party boasting live DJ sets and spectator contests. Rumors abound of Nadal eyeing courtside seats for the women’s and men’s finals.
Melbourne Park holds special memories for the Spaniard: 2009 and 2022 titles, each a five-set odyssey. The 2022 final against Medvedev was pure drama, a two-set comeback in an epic over five hours. His overall AO ledger? A dominant 77-16.
Etched forever is the 2012 final versus Djokovic, the longest in history at 5 hours 53 minutes. Nadal follows in the footsteps of Federer, Agassi, Hewitt, and Rafter, all past participants in these storied nights.
Nadal’s enduring fan love post-retirement amplifies AO 2025’s draw. This legends event weaves history into the present, priming the arena for what promises to be an unforgettable final weekend.