Ahead of Wimbledon 2022, Rafael Nadal has said for the first time in 18 months he has overcome the crippling foot pain. Second seed Rafael Nadal will play Argentina’s world No. 42 Francisco Cerundolo in the first round while young sensation Carlos Alcaraz will take on Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
putting in work, rain or shine @Wimbledon @RafaelNadal | @iga_swiatek | #TennisUnited pic.twitter.com/M4Lg1jf4p7
— wta (@WTA) June 27, 2022
“I can walk normal most of the days, almost every single day. That’s for me the main issue,” said the 36-year-old Spaniard at Wimbledon on Saturday in the pre-tournament press conference. “When I wake up, I don’t have this pain that I was having for the last year and a half, so quite happy about that. And second thing, practising. Since the last two weeks, I didn’t have one day of these terrible days that I can’t move at all. The feeling and overall feelings are positive,” he added.
For the first time in his career, Nadal arrives in SW19 halfway to the calendar Grand Slam, a feat no man has achieved since Rod Laver in 1969. It is quite the start to a season already blighted by a rib fracture and recurrent left foot problems.
“(The) past is past. Sport and life goes so quick, no? I am not a big fan of keep(ing) living on the things that you achieved because sport doesn`t give you that time to keep thinking on the things that happened,” Nadal said.
“But (it) is something that already happened. (It) is something that’s going to be in my museum for the rest of my life, so that’s something that makes me feel proud, of course. (The) last six months of 2021 haven’t been easy. Even 2022, (though) I am able to have an amazing start of the season, haven’t been easy at all.”
The Spaniard has reached the semi-finals the last two times he has taken part in The Championships, but it is now 12 years since he lifted the trophy as gentlemen’s singles champion for a second time. In the Roger Federer’s absence from Wimbledon for the first time in 24 years, Nadal afforded himself time to reflect on their rivalry without dwelling for too long on the past.
Match Details
The Wimbledon 2022 first round match between Rafa Nadal and Francisco Cerundolo will take place on Tuesday (June 28).
The Wimbledon 2022 first round match between Rafa Nadal and Francisco Cerundolo is scheduled to start at around 7.15pm IST.
The Wimbledon 2022 first round match between Rafa Nadal and Francisco Cerundolo will be broadcast on Star Sports network.
The Wimbledon 2022 first round match between Rafa Nadal and Francisco Cerundolo will be available for livestream on Disney+ Hotstar website and app.
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