PostedJune 28, 2022, 8:20 PM
Not everything was easy for the Spaniard on Tuesday in the first round of the London tournament. He beat Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (ATP 41) 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4.
Rafael Nadal can breathe. But it still took him four rounds to beat Francisco Cerundolo.
AFP
Rafael Nadal, who had not played at Wimbledon since his lost semi-final in 2019, resumed his marks on Center Court on Tuesday where he dropped a set before dismissing Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo.
“Every day is a test and today was a big test,” commented the Spaniard.
“When you play well at Roland-Garros, there is not much time left to prepare for the grass. The blessed time when I could chain Roland-Garros and Queen’s to prepare for Wimbledon is over… now, I need rest and in addition I have to take care of my foot, “he said.
Against Berankis in the 2nd round
Winner of the first two Grand Slam tournaments of the season, at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, the Spaniard with a record of 22 major titles will face the Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis (106th) in the second round.
Tuesday, the double winner on the lawn of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (2008 and 2010) did not seem embarrassed by his left foot affected by a degenerative and incurable disease (Müller-Weiss syndrome) which openly threatens the continuation of his career.
One hit worse
But for his first match on grass of the season, after pulsed radiofrequency treatment to reduce foot pain, Nadal largely held the shock and screamed it when the last shot of his opponent, who discovered Wimbledon, is out of bounds.
After the loss of the third set, the Spaniard seemed a little in difficulty, especially as he was broken and led in stride 3-1, then 4-2 in the fourth set. But from there, he chained the next four games which allowed him to join the 2nd round.
(AFP)