Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal reckons he has the body of a 40-year old – despite being 32.

Speaking after his quarter-final win at Roland Garros over Diego Schwartzman on Thursday, Nadal talked about coping with his fitness as he ages, while also contrasting the state of his body to Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

A reporter asked the ten-time French Open champion: “If I can make a parallel with Cristiano Ronaldo, the doctors of Real Madrid published medical results saying that he has a body of 23 years with 7 per cent fat.

“Since you are the same age, how’s your body and what are your tricks to staying in perfect condition?”

Nadal, in reply, said he was happy with how things stand for him fitness wise – even if he believes himself aged beyond his years.

“My body is about 40 years old, but I’m not really focusing on that,” Nadal explained.

“I’m just playing tennis. I’m not really interested by all these things, and I don’t think that – you can’t really know the reality of how old your body is.”

Nadal has had a long history of injuries, but ‘The King of Clay’ is targeting his eleventh Roland Garros title as he does battle with Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals on Friday..

“I’m 32, and I’m how I am. I’m happy. I accept my age,” added Nadal.

“I try to adapt to all the changes that the body is going through over the years.

“There are things that are lost and there are other things that are gained, and I’m trying to improve all the time. That’s it.

“I’m happy for Cristiano that he’s 23, his body is 23.”