“I Feel a Little Bit Alive Again”: Rafael Nadal Opens up on Reaching Final at Australian Open 2022

Rafael Nadal is through to his 6th Australian Open final. The Spaniard beat the 7th ranked Matteo Berrettini in four sets. The Spaniard looks to recreate his 2009 win, being just one match away from winning the Australian Open 2022 title. 

While talking to Eurosport journalist Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal expressed himself saying that he feels “alive again”, a feeling that he missed.

Nadal elaborated upon the difficulties faced by him and his team in the last 6 months when he was out due to a problem in his left foot. He called himself lucky for being able to play at this level right now. 

Rafael Nadal feels alive again

Mats Wilander questioned Nadal about the most surprising element in his comeback performance. He asked, “What’s the most surprising to you, is it the way you hit the ball, the way you move or the way you can still solve problems?”

Nadal took the question with utmost elegance and answered, “[For] the people from outside, it is difficult to believe. But the people who are next to me and watched my condition, lived my diary for the last six months, it’s difficult to understand I could play at this level right now.”

He further opened up on his attitude and competitive spirit, calling himself lucky and alive. He said, “It’s difficult to explain honestly but I feel lucky, I’m playing with a great attitude and positive feelings. I feel a little bit alive again in terms of competitive spirit. I missed that feeling.”

He closed the question by saying that he did not believe that he will be standing where he is today. He also agreed to not having that much pressure now, however, he added that he will still try his best.

Nadal beats Berrettini to book a spot in the finals of the Australian Open 2022

Playing just one 5-setter match in his whole campaign, Nadal entered the semi-finals with supreme confidence. Opening the match with an easy service hold, Nadal went on to break Berrettini in his first service game. Having an early lead, Nadal went on to win the first set smoothly. 

The next set was no different, as Nadal broke Berrettini in the opening game of the second set. That wasn’t all, as the Spaniard went on to again break Berrettini in his second service game. Playing like a wall, Nadal went on to win the second set with complete ease. 

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The third set saw Berrettini make a comeback, breaking Nadal and going on to win the third set. However, his happiness was short-lived as Nadal came back in the forth and cruised towards victory

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The Spaniard hit 28 winners to win the match 6-3,6-2,3-6,6-3, cruising to the finals of the Australian Open. Nadal is eyeing his second Australian Open title at Australian Open 2022. He will face the winner of Medvedev and Tsiptipas.