‘I feel alive again’ – Rafael Nadal after moving one match away from GOAT status at Australian Open

Rafael Nadal declared he feels “alive again” after overcoming an injury nightmare to reach the final of the Australian Open for a sixth time. The Spaniard saw off Matteo Berrettini in four sets on Friday to leave him one victory away from a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title. Ad/> However, the 35-year-old is not getting preoccupied with the history books after spending the last six months wondering if he would ever play again, let alone compete for majors.

Australian OpenNadal brushes aside Berrettini to reach final and close on 21st Grand Slam title3 HOURS AGO Nadal had not played a competitive tournament since August prior to touching down in Melbourne. A chronic problem in his left foot ruled him out of Wimbledon, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and US Open. He admitted it got so bad that there were days he could only practise for 20 minutes.

When asked what was most surprising about his comeback by Eurosport expert Mats Wilander in The Cube, Nadal replied: “Mats, being honest, everything. “[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.

“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.