Prior to the 2022 Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal didn't take part in any ATP tournament but has decided to play at an exhibition in the Hurlingham Club.
Recently, Roger Federer spoke about how difficult it is to play as many tournaments as he used to when he was younger, and after his first match on grass in three years, Rafael Nadal opened up about the same issue as he will play the Wimbledon for the first time since 2019. After defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Hurlingham Club, the Spaniard said:
“It has been a while without playing on grass. Since 2019 I haven’t been able to play on grass through the tough moments we went through with the pandemic and last year I got injured. So I am excited to be back where we are today. It has always been a pleasure playing here in Hurlingham. It is special to be back."
“Honestly for me it is positive to play a couple of matches before the competition starts at Wimbledon. I used to play at Queen’s a long time ago now. I am older now - I can’t manage to play so many matches! So for me it is perfect to play a couple of matches here before Wimbledon starts. That helps me to feel at least some competition before Wimbledon.”
“I have spent some fantastic moments here in London. Playing of course at the World Tour Finals a lot of times but of course playing at Wimbledon since 2003. That was the first time I played at Wimbledon."
"It was always a big goal and a dream for me to achieve important things here at Wimbledon and I was able to make that happen for the first time in 2008. Since that moment, I always come back with the same passion and I always feel very welcomed by the crowd here.”
0 Comments