Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed his intention to compete at Wimbledon and his outfit for the third Grand Slam of the season has been revealed. Nadal, who turned 36 earlier this month, was taking injections of anesthesia and painkillers for two weeks straight at the French Open to numb the pain in his foot.
After winning the French Open, Nadal returned to Spain to treat his foot. Nearly two weeks later, Nadal is feeling better and ready to compete at Wimbledon. Nadal will not play any grass-court ATP events before Wimbledon, but has decided to play the exhibition tournament at the Hurlingham Club.
In the Hurlingham exhibition, Nadal is scheduled to play two matches. “I have experienced some improvements, different sensations in the foot, honestly. I take it as something positive,” Nadal said at the Mallorca Country Club.
“My intention is to travel to London next Monday, play two matches there before the tournament starts and just follow my normal schedule to prepare as well as possible [for] Wimbledon. To this day, that’s all I can say.
I’m positive about it.” On Monday, Nadal took to the grass courts for the first time this year. The foot treatment and the start of preparation for Wimbledon have gone well as Nadal is ready to travel to London. “I’m happy with the way I’ve been able to practice the week here.
I’m excited to travel, to try to play Wimbledon after three years,” Nadal said. “I was able to practice all week, increasing the amount of work a little bit. So I’m positive about it.”
Steve Flink reflects on Nadal
Speaking on a recent podcast, sports journalist Steve Flink said Ruud should learn from Rafael Nadal about being a professional and not letting the admiration of someone come in the way of his goal.
“You can’t let your respect and admiration for Rafa, your practice sessions at his structure, and the fact that Rafa is such a revered sportsman and such a great guy get in your way. Look at Rafa. He’s ruthless on the court.
He’s extremely likable and so humble but when he’s out there, there’s absolutely no nonsense and that’s really what Ruud needs to learn from him,” Flink said. “I wouldn’t have expected 11 games in a row.
I think Ruud could have done a little better than that. He sort of gave it away before the match when he said he had to play his best match and that he had to play better than he has ever played before. He put a lot of pressure on himsel. Nadal had to have a very bad day to lose that match, said Flink.
