Beckham chat gets Nadal ready for final push

Rafael Nadal believes a conversation with David Beckham has provided him with the perfect inspiration ahead of his Wimbledon final showdown with Tomas Berdych today.

Nadal had only just finished his ruthless three-set victory over Andy Murray in Friday's semi-final when he was asked if he wanted to meet former England captain Beckham, who watched with his son Brooklyn as the world no.1 produced a masterclass on Centre Court.

While Nadal was drained following his efforts against Murray, the chance to spend a few minutes with Beckham was too good to turn down.

The Spaniard is a big fan of Real Madrid and grew to admire Beckham's ferocious work-ethic during the England midfielder's time at the La Liga club.

"I know him from Madrid a few years ago and it is always special to meet with great sportsmen like David," Nadal said.

"He's a big star outside of the stadium. But for me, what I admire a lot about him is when he's on the pitch, he fights like the best of them and even more than the rest."

Nadal will need a Beckham-style lung-busting effort to subdue the powerful Berdych, who has clinched a surprise final place with hugely impressive victories over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

After a gruelling clay-court season culminated in victory at the French Open, Nadal had only 48 hours to rest before travelling to London to begin his preparations for the grass-court season and now, a month later, the strain is starting to tell on his body.

"I didn't have any problem for the last three matches but it can be there in one moment and I don't have the control of this," he said.

Nadal might have been expecting to resume his rivalry with Federer in the final, but Berdych ensured that wouldn't happen with a stunning quarter-final victory over the defending champion.

Berdych proved that was no fluke by dispatching Djokovic in three sets in the semi-final to reach his first grand slam final.

"He has had an amazing tournament," Nadal said.

"He is a very aggressive player with a very good serve. No opponent can be more difficult than Tomas to play in this final."