Rafael Nadal reveals which of his two Grand Slam finals in 2022 surprised him more

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• Rafael Nadal

World No. 5 Rafal Nadal revealed that making the Australian Open final surprised him more than reaching the French Open final. Even though Nadal is a record 13-time French Open champion, many had Novak Djokovic as their top favorite for this year's French Open title.

Nadal didn't have a good preparation for the French Open and there were question marks regarding his fitness level going into the tournament. Nadal, who played just two clay tournaments and didn't win a clay title before the French Open, still managed to overcome the odds and reach yet another final at Roland Garros.

After missing almost the entire second half of the 2021 season, Nadal returned to action in Australia and claimed a record 21st Grand Slam title. Just a week before this year's French Open, Nadal was troubled by a chronic foot pain and some feared the Spaniard would be forced to skip the tournament.

"Between my final here and my final in Australia, the Australian final surprised me more. But I always said that in sports, things are changing quickly," Nadal said, per Tennis Majors.

Nadal : "Between my final here and my final in Australia, the Australian final surprised me more.

But I always said that in sports, things are changing quickly." #RolandGarros — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) June 3, 2022

Nadal feeling okay physically

In the French Open semifinal, Nadal was 7-6 (8) 6-6 up before Alexander Zverev rolled his ankle and was forced to retire their match.

Even though Nadal didn't complete two full sets versus Zverev, he spent three hours on the court on Friday. "Physically I'm OK. Today the conditions were super humid, I hadn't experienced them for a long time. If I was suffering, it's not before of the physical.

When the ball is loud, you suffer more physically anyway," Nadal explained.

Nadal : "Physically I'm OK. Today the conditions were super humid, I hadn't experienced them for a long time. If I was suffering, it's not before of the physical.

When the ball is loud, you suffer more physically anyway." #RolandGarros — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) June 3, 2022

Nadal, who turned 36 this Friday, is now a win away from winning his 14th French Open title and a record 22nd Grand Slam title.

"Winning is beautiful, it gives you adrenaline, it makes me happy. I'm doing the maximum to give me options whatever the physical shape. Win another title after the pain I had, it would be, waouw," Nadal added.

Nadal (in Spanish) : "Winning is beautiful, it gives you adrenaline, it makes me happy.

I'm doing the maximum to give me options whatever the physical shape. Win another title after the pain I had, it would be, waouw." — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) June 3, 2022