Rafael Nadal news: Playing final again feels like a miracle for the Spaniard
Rafael Nadal has explained how it feels to play tennis at the highest level again after battling with injuries in his career.
The world No 5 cruised into the Australian Open final on Friday after beating Italian Matteo Berrettini in four sets, coming out on top with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 scoreline at Melbourne Park.
The Spaniard is into a sixth Australian Open showpiece match and he will face a tough test on Sunday with the winner of the clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and world No 2 Daniil Medvedev his opponent.
Having missed several months of action in 2021 due to foot injury, Nadal finally made his competitive comeback during the Australian swing and now a few weeks later he finds himself one win away from a 21st Grand Slam title.
The 35-year-old said being able to reach the final again feels like a miracle.
At 35 years young, 2009 champion Rafael Nadal earns himself another shot at the #AusOpen title 🏆@Kia_Worldwide • #Kia • #MovementThatInspires • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/ZviRw9eNeS
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2022
“The people from outside it’s difficult to believe, the people next to me [who] watched and lived my diary, conditions for the last six months, difficult to understand that I was able to play at this level right now so it’s difficult to explain,” he told Eurosport.
“I feel lucky just playing tennis, I’m playing with a great tactical, positive feelings. I feel a little bit alive again, attitude, the competitive spirit so yeah I’ve missed that feeling sometimes, I am enjoying it.”
Nadal added: “I know the pressure is not much for me now. I never believed I would have the chance to be where I am today so I’m just enjoying every single moment and of course I’m trying my best because I was in that semi-final so I want to play the chance.”
