Super Nadal Fires Wimbledon Warning
Locker Room
June 15, 2015
Rafael Nadal is ready to thrill Wimbledon once more – and that’s great news for tennis fans.
At last, we can look forward to the return of the “real Rafa” on grass.
EXPLOSIVE
And that means Wimbledon is likely to be even more exciting and explosive this year.
How do we know that Nadal means business this time around? Because he says so…and because his racquet has also done some impressive talking in the last few days.
TRIUMPH
Rafa just took Stuttgart by storm, his 66th ATP title but his first grass-court tournament triumph since Wimbledon itself back in 2010.
In doing so he sent out a warning to his rivals for the biggest title of them all, the one they all dream of winning at the All England Club. The message is simple: when it comes to Wimbledon this year, underestimate Nadal at your peril.
The ever-popular Spaniard defeated Serbia’s Victor Troicki 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in Germany and served up eleven aces in just under an hour-and-a-half.
FANTASTIC
It was a fantastic way to bounce back from his French Open quarter-final defeat to Novak Djokovic, and means Nadal’s slide down the rankings to tenth will be short-lived.
Rafa, who turned 29 earlier this month, will reach Wimbledon with no pressure on his shoulders, an unfamiliar and refreshing feeling. Since losing the 2011 final, Nadal has failed to get passed the fourth round, falling to Aussie sensation Nick Krygios last year. But now Rafa has tapped into a growing sense of confidence.
POSITIVE
Remember, Nadal is habitually humble in front of the media, he is not given to making bold predictions, so when he talks positively about the recent progress he has made, it is worth taking note.
Rafa says: ‘It’s been a tough couple of years playing on grass, with problems in my knees. Now I’m ready to play on grass, my knees are well and so is my tennis, so I’m happy.’
AGILITY
A fully fit Rafael Nadal, his agility matching his awesome power, is a sight to behold. On his day he can go toe-to-toe with the greatest players in the world and come out on top.
So Wimbledon tennis fans can look forward to Rafa playing a big part in this year’s drama. With those knees feeling great again, there is every chance he can make the final stages and worry the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.
REAL DEAL
Welcome back, Nadal! We’ve been waiting for the much-loved warrior to return to his best. Now it looks like Rafa is the “real deal” once more – and his return to fitness is already creating a wonderful sense of anticipation in south-west London.