After a schedule shake-up, the men’s semi-finals will all be played on Friday at this year’s Australian Open, and the 35-year-old was happy to have an extra day off.
“I am not 21 anymore, after this match it is great to have two days off,” he laughed.
“I felt quite good physically in terms of movement but the conditions haven’t been that hot.”
The former world No 1 is still on the comeback from a left foot injury that saw him cut his 2021 season short, and is playing just his second tournament since August.
Sharing the feeling of being back in an Australian Open semi-final, Nadal admitted he didn’t know whether he’d even be able to return to competition as little as two months ago.
“For me it is everything to be able to play one more time in that semi-finals match.
“We can create history but the real truth is two months ago we didn’t know if we would be back on tour at all, so it is just a present of life I am here playing tennis again and enjoying it.”