Nadal shrugs off weariness for Federer final

Rafael Nadal admits that his exhausting five-set victory over Grigor Dimitrov will put him at a disadvantage against Roger Federer in tomorrow’s Australian Open final.

Nadal needed four hours and 56 minutes to clinch an 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7/5) 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 victory yesterday, almost two hours longer than Federer 24 hours earlier.

Across the fortnight, Nadal has been on court for 18 hours and 59 minutes, more than five hours more than his final opponent.

“These kind of matches, even for the body, it destroys your body, but that’s tennis,” said Nadal, 30. “That’s special, much more special than playing best-of-three. It should be like this, in my opinion.

“For me, it is fair enough. It is true that if you play a match like I had, it probably is true that you are in disadvantage. But that’s a special situation. I cannot complain about that.”

Nadal’s one Australian Open triumph came in 2009, when he prevailed against Federer, in five sets, having gone to a decider against Fernando Verdasco in the last four.

“That what I’m going to try,” Nadal said. “I have a fantastic match.

“I am very emotional. Grigor played great. I played great. It means a lot to me.”

The world number nine will now play his greatest rival Federer in a grand slam final, their ninth together, and 35th career meeting.

Nadal is closing in on a 15th major title while Federer is hoping to extend his lead on the Spaniard to four by instead claiming his 18th.

“It is special to play with Roger again in a final of a grand slam, I cannot lie,” Nadal said. “It is great.

“It is exciting for me and for both of us that we are still there and still fighting for important events. So that’s important for us, I think. “That’s very special. “I hope to be ready to compete well again.

“I need to go back to the hotel, to rest well, and to recover from now.”