Nadal's blistering forehand

Melbourne - Australian ex-player Allan Stone voiced the thoughts of many when he wondered how Rafael Nadal got such a bad blister on his hand.

Despite palms hardened by a long career in tennis, the world No 1 has a coin-sized blood blister on his serving hand.

"I don't ever recall seeing anybody's hand as bad as Rafa's. I'm not sure how it's got to that stage, and I don't know how he's holding the racquet," said the former Australian Open doubles winner.

"In our day we never had the trainers that could come out and apply all the ointments or drying stuff, the magic spray and then the gauze or the taping," he added.

"So we would have a Band-Aid on, which would come off in two hits and then your hand would be a mess."

Rafael Nadal's hand (Getty Images)