Novak pips big rival to favourite
RAFA NADAL claimed there is “little logic” to grass court tennis as he was installed as second favourite behind Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon.
Yet the Spanish superstar knows the unique nature of this year’s Championships gives him a big chance to win his third title in SW19 – and his 24th Grand Slam.
The Australian and French Open champion yesterday confirmed the nerve treatment on his left foot has been successful enough for him to attempt to play at Wimbledon.
Eight-time champion Roger Federer was already out. And for the first time since the rankings were started in 1973, the top two male seeds will be absent with Russian Daniil Medvedev banned and German Alex Zverev injured. No.3 seed Casper Ruud lost to world No.180 Ryan Peniston at the cinch Championships this week while Carlos Alcaraz, 19, who has never got beyond the third round of a Grand Slam, is fourth favourite.
Nadal, 36, who yesterday confirmed he is due to become a father for the first time, admitted: “Tennis is a fairly unpredictable sport and grass is a different surface and there is little logic.
“Unexpected things happen. It’s the shortest season of the year and Wimbledon is the tournament where form is hardest to judge.”
Serena Williams has accepted a wildcard to play her Wimbledon but her older sister Venus, 42, yesterday confirmed that she will not be there.