WIMBLEDON 2017 Rafa Nude-al
Spanish sensation sets Wimbledon pulses racing (and cameras flashing) with on-court strip show
HE has just been voted the sexiest tennis player alive – and Rafael Nadal showed his Wimbledon fans just why yesterday.
Many could not believe their luck as he stripped off on court and mopped himself down.
Their eyes may have been on his tennis but his quick change brought out the camera phones and the biggest smiles of the day on Court One.
The 31-year-old Spaniard whipped off his shirt after a comfortable victory in the first round on the first day of the championships.
The 6ft 1in world number two, who has 15 grand slam titles to his name, won over the crowd as he beat Australian John Millman in straight sets.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Nadal was this month voted ‘ Sexiest Tennis Player Alive’ for the second year running by Glamour magazine.
Nadal, who has a long-term girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, known as Xisca, later told reporters he was pleased with his first Wimbledon match for two years.
‘I always expect to go on court and compete well, try my best,’ he said. ‘It was a very positive match for me, a good start. I’m happy because I didn’t win a lot of matches the last couple of years here in Wimbledon.’
Nadal has struggled on grass for the past five years but was in supreme shape in winning a 10th French Open last month and has carried that form into Wimbledon.
He has not been past the fourth round at SW19 since 2011, winning only four matches in that time, and was forced to miss the tournament 12 months ago because of a wrist injury.
He will now face American player Donald Young tomorrow.