One step at a time for Rafa
Nadal not looking too far ahead for now
RAFAEL NADAL has a flair for the dramatic and the Spaniard was true to form by insisting he’s on a day-by-day survival mission at Wimbledon.
A chronic foot injury has been the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s biggest issue despite his recent win in Paris.
The 36-year-old navigated through a fourth-set scare to get past Francisco Cerundolo and book a second-round spot against Ricardas Berankis.
After a gruelling four hours battle against the Argentine, the King of Clay rattled off 11 consecutive points to pull himself out of trouble having gone a break down in the fourth and was handed a centre-court standing ovation.
But Nadal admits his foot issue, which has required cortisone injections, will ensure he’s taking nothing for granted. He said: “I said before the tournament started that every victory helps. Today was a victory and I spent a long time on court so I really hope that that will help.
“I need to keep improving things but at the end of the match I improved at the most critical moment and I raised my level.
“That’s a very positive thing. So let’s keep going. I need to have a good practice session and be ready for Ricardas in the second round.
“It will be another day and I need to be humble enough to accept the challenge, accept that the situation will not be perfect for the moment.
“But with the things I have, I need to find a way to keep going because every day that I am able to survive there is a much bigger chance that I will start playing at a much higher level.”
It was a stylish winning return for Nadal, back at SW19 for the first time since 2019. He revealed it was his first experience of playing on grass after a three-year absence and it’s been so long he’s forgotten.
The Spaniard said: “I haven’t played on grass for three years.
“To compare you need to remember the other things well. I don’t remember very well. When it’s windy and cold the ball here is very heavy.
“When the sun is there, in a little bit drier conditions, the ball is a little bit faster, stays a little bit less on the string. Today was a very heavy ball. It was very windy out there and it wasn’t easy to play in.
“I was more or less under control with two sets and one break up but then the sun was crazy. For a right-handed player it’s probably is not a problem but for a lefty where the sun is, especially when I am serving from the right side of the umpire, it was so tough because it was difficult for me to find the spot after the serve.
“I was losing the ball completely.” Nadal also offered his sympathy to Matteo Berrettini, who had to withdraw from Wimbledon due to Covid. But he isn’t concerned about contracting the illness after sharing a practice court with the Italian last Thursday.
Nadal said: “It’s difficult to be a close contact when you are outside, when you are practising. It’s just outdoors that things historically look like it is more difficult. Anything can happen, no?
“For the moment I am feeling great, no problems at all.
“The main thing is I feel very sorry for him because he was playing fantastic, winning two tournaments before this tournament started. He’s a very good colleague on tour.
“We know each other well. I know how sad he will probably feel today so I am sorry for him and wish him a quick recovery.”