Rafael Nadal is on the cusp of scripting history. The Spaniard defeated World No.1 Novak Djokovic 6-2,4-6,6-2,7-6 (4) in the quarterfinal and booked a spot in the semifinal of the French Open.
However, the journey hasn't been smooth for the legendary tennis player, who after winning the Australian Open suffered a rib fracture and then a foot injury.
The owner of 21 Grand Slams, Nadal was overwhelmed with emotions after booking a semifinal berth at the hallowed Roland Garros.
"I became emotional because, of course, the last three months and a half for me, the only thing that I can say is it hasn't been easy," Nadal was quoted as saying by atptour.com.
"Not going to be talking about all the things I went through the last couple of months any more now, because I have to keep going, but of course it hasn't been a fun three months.
"All these things... make this match more special, without a doubt," the winner of 13 titles at Roland Garros added.
Rafael Nadal booked a semifinal berth at the French Open.
Nadal's build-up to his favourite Grand Slam, the French Open, has included a six-week recovery from a rib fracture and overcoming a chronic foot injury. He's now just two wins away from recording his 14th Roland Garros title and his 22nd major crown.
"In the end, it has been a very emotional night for me. I'm still playing for nights like today. But it's just a quarterfinal match, no? So I didn't win anything. So I just give myself a chance to be back on court in two days, play another semifinals here in Roland Garros. It means a lot to me," the 35-year-old said.
Nadal expressed confidence in his abilities to overcome the challenge of Germany's Alexander Zverev in last four.
"If I am not playing good or if I am losing in that semifinals match, (it is) not going to be because I'm not going to be focused... I have experience on that. I am not the kind of guy and player that emotionally goes high and low. I am very stable, I think, emotionally.
"I know how the things works, no? It's the moment to enjoy today, because (it has) been a beautiful night for me, without a doubt. Very emotional one. But tomorrow (I'm) going to start thinking about things that I need to do to be ready for that semi-finals. The main goal is be focused on (keeping) the level that I have been playing today," he added.
The Spaniard will take advantage of his two rest days after winning a pair of four-plus-hour matches against Djokovic and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Looking back on his rivalry with Djokovic, Nadal said, "This is one more episode. That's it. We played... in the most important events, in the most important matches for a lot of years, and it's always special to play against each other. Tonight has been just a quarterfinal match, not the final. So that's different. But still a super classic match and in a big scenario."
"Between Novak, Roger (Federer), myself, we have an amazing story together facing each other in the most important matches for such a long time. So that makes things more special and more emotional," he added.
(Inputs IANS)
