Rafael Nadal news: Playing final again feels like a miracle for the Spaniard

Ayanda Frances Felem
January 28, 2022

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.”

Rafael Nadal