Rafael Nadal has reached the 2022 Australian Open final on Friday with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Matteo Berrettini in two hours and 55 minutes.
A few months ago, our champion didn’t even know if he’d be in Australia. Now, he’s one win away from a men’s record 21st Grand Slam trophy.
“I started the match playing great. The first two sets were one of the best so far since a long time. Then I know how good Matteo is, he is a very solid player, very dangerous. In the third I know at some point he is going to go for the shots. And thenI think I didn’t play a good game with myself in the fourth and third. He played some great shots, passing shot down the line, unbelievable. Then, yeah, then I had to suffer and wanted to fight in the fourth again.”
“That is the only way to be where I am today. Honestly, it means a lot to me to be in the final here again.”
“Well, as everybody knows I am more an outdoor than indoor player. But, yeah, I think the stadium looks amazing like this closed with the amazing crowd like this is even more noises, I enjoy the atmosphere a lot. I can’t complain at all.I knew before the match that the roof is going to be closed. You know what, a month-and-a-half I didn’t know if I was going to play tennis. It doesn’t matter if it is outdoors or indoors today. I just wanted to play and do my best.”
“For me it’s all about the Australian Open more than anything else. It just an amazing event that as I said a couple of days ago now, I have been a little bit lucky in my career with some injuries. At times I play good finals against Novak in 2012and Roger in 2017. I was lucky to win once in 2009 but I never thought about another chance dm in2022. Just enjoy the victory today and after that try my best.”
He heads into Sunday’s showpiece, where he will face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Our champ is hoping to win his second Australian Open trophy with his only title coming in 2009.
Amazing much so last night Rafa you ply to win vamosssssss to finials is time to shine again we are with you all the way you are and fire 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💪👍🇺🇸🎾👏👏👏👏🥰🙏🏆💯🇺🇸
GRANDE GRANDE GRANDE RAFA!!!! ENHORABUENA!!!! te deseo lo mejor para el domingo, sigue positivo y cree en ti mismo, lo puedes conseguir, VAMOS SIEMPRE CONTIGO !!!
Si he rogado para el como siempre 😀 Voy a escribirle Bravo en Twitter.Fiona en Paris
THIS is IT, Rafa!
Just rest and recover fully for Sunday and give it your all. Your earlier excellence combined with a better serve, is next to perfect. I dont even think Djoker would have stopped you in this form.
You got both Stef and Med and i dont really care who makes it to the final.
Stef got just 2 wins over you, first in a tight 3rd and 2nd tight five. Both times you wore out, he never won.
Med just 1, that too he should never have won (I was crushed on that result). The WTF was yours that year.
Theyll try to wear you down, you keep attacking and keep it short. And wrt to Med remember in the WTF when he was on the verge of losing he moved in closer. Keep a backup plan for such case.
I can see the AO coming home. Pl prove me right.
Eighteen sets won. Only three more to go. 👏💖🏆
This is wonderful. I wasn’t sure he’d even be playing, when he got Covid in Abu Dhabi.
I was all tense with my wife during the match and didn’t even watch until the last game and I just kept praying for a victory here for Rafa, and we all got rewarded by the good Lord with that one last burst of energy in the fourth set. Vamos, Rafa! Let’s go for No. 21 on Sunday, and our good Lord will be there helping you again!
Yes, I prayed for him before going to sleep, could nt watch in Eurosport as it was 4 in the morning here This morning Bravo 😀 my prayer answered.. Fiona in Paris
Vamos RAFA! I am sure the AO 2122 is yours only.Stay healthy and play attacking tennis on Sunday
NUNCA HABRA OTRO COMO TU RAFA, VAMOS!!!
Congratulations Rafa you deserve it.
Vamooooos👏👏
The first and second set were amazing. In the third Rafa got a little bit tired but he found a way to win❤️ take rest, enjoy the moment and than go for #21 on sunday. You can do it and we are all with you.
Vamos Rafa
Well done Rafa! Amazing tactical achievement yet again – you could not have played better .
Where does this mental and physical strength come from after what you have been through ?
It comes from your amazing values and sincerity , your modesty and your simplicity in surrounding yourself with the most important things in your life : your beautiful wife and family , your trusted and valued team , your home in Manacor, Mallorca and the game you love : Tennis.
You give so much to your fans : we cherish you ! Vamos and thank you !
Very well said, guineabear1! Rafa strives for happiness in his life, and he also loves spreading it around! Fighting spirit without parallel combined with a wish for others to be happy too. Never an unkind word to anyone.
Outstanding! The willingness to stretch himself to the limit and the willingness to suffer and the ability to reset is unbelievable. I don’t think I’ve seen Rafa more emotional and it brought a tear to my eyes too.
Well done champ! You got this!
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥rain or shine, hardtop or convertible-congratulations, Rafael Nadal👍👏💪🤛🍀🎾❤️
You have had to endure and suffer, but that victory smile says everything!
I’ll die with a big smile on my face if Rafa wins the whole thing.
May God Give Rafa and you a long life
Well done Rafa, Masterclass performance 👏 ❤. History is about to go down at the AO final
Congratulations well don Rafa vamosssssss champ you play amazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎾🇺🇸🥰🎾🏆💯🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Our dear Rafa was so emotional!
Understandable in the context of the alternative of not ever playing again.
Every win is a blessing so numbers have become irrelevant. As always Rafa has got his priorities right,
Congratulations Rafa!!!😝
Hoping I have an opportunity to double my donation in your honor on Sunday, Rafa.🍀🙏
Play the best match of the tournament for #21!!!
VAMOS RAFA💪❤️