It’s safe to say that Rafael Nadal did not mimic Roger Federer’s strategy by taking almost three months off to rest up for Wimbledon–and it’s a good thing he didn’t because during that time the Spaniard won four clay-court titles, including Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and the French Open.
But Nadal did decide to give himself at least some rest in advance of the season’s third Grand Slam. On the heels of playing 25 clay-court matches this spring, and finishing second best in only one of those 25, the Spaniard decided to skip this week’s grass-court event at Queen’s Club.
“I am very sorry to say that I am not going to be able play Queen’s,” Nadal said. “I was hoping to take some days off and then be ready. But, at 31, and after a long clay-court season with all of the emotions of Roland Garros–and after speaking to my team and doctor–I have decided my body needs to rest if I am going to be ready to play Wimbledon.”
The 15-time Grand Slam champion has endured no notable physical problems this season and things should stay that way prior to Wimbledon thanks to his precautionary move to pull out of Queen’s Club. Wimbledon, of course, is Nadal’s priority–perhaps to an even greater extent because he has not triumphed at the All-England Club since 2010.
“[It] has been a while since [I’ve played] very good Wimbledon,” Nadal admitted. “It’s true that after 2012, what happened with my knees, it has been tougher and tougher to compete on grass for me. But if I have pain in the knees, then I know from experience that it’s almost impossible because I need to feel strong…and (have) powerful legs to play well in Wimbledon. If I don’t feel that, then probably my chances are [none]. We’ll see how my knee behaves.”
Federer has battled through knee issues of his own–albeit must less frequently–but like Nadal it has been full speed ahead for the 35-year-old Swiss this season. In fact, their most important statistics are identical: one major title and two Masters 1000 victories. Federer skipped the entire clay-court swing and lost his opening match last week in Stuttgart to Tommy Haas. Rest has turned to rust for now, but it could be pay off at Wimbledon when he faces opponents who have just endured the wear and tear of the clay-court grind.
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“The year has been great and it wasn’t all bad in Stuttgart,” Federer reflected. “Maybe that loss against Tommy was what I need to fuel myself for what’s to come in Halle and Wimbledon.”
The current world No. 5 has lifted the Wimbledon winner’s trophy seven times, but a relative slump at the All-England Club has seen him prevail only once since 2009 and has left him scrambling for his first title since 2012.
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Listening to Sue Barker, John Lloyd and Andrew Castle, they are all looking at Andy’s glass as half full, despite his lack lustre show so far this year. That’s fine, but had Rafa had a year like Andy’s, the take would have been very different, he would have been written off immediately.
According to the Aegon website, this is the first time Murray hasn’t broken his opponent in 137 matches.
I’m so glad that streak has finally been stopped!
incredible stat!
I am still not writing off Murray’s chances at Wimbledon. He didn’t do well in the warmup tournaments during the clay season. Yet he got to the semis. He’s just going to be short on match play on grass. He’s got Lendl with him, so that should help. I am not predicting a win for him or for Fed, for that matter. But I certainly am not ruling him out even before the draw has come out. His exit at Queens was a real surprise given his record there. I didn’t know that he was riding a winning streak.
I’ve written him off for Wimbledon.
I watched the match between Berdych and Shapovalov; this Shapovalov at age 18, reminded me of a young Rafa. He’s also a lefty, looks lanky unlike young Rafa who was already quite muscular, fair skin unlike Rafa’s tanned skin, blonde hair unlike Rafa’s dark hair; SHBH unlike Rafa’s DHBH. But.., his facial expressions bear some resemblance to Rafa, his mannerisms too (though no tucking at his shorts!) and his lefty kick serve to Berdych’s BH jumped up so high that caused Berdych so much problems throughout the whole match! He was also so quick around the court like Rafa. He’s quite an impressive youngster, one to look out for.
Nny,Hawks,littlefoot,Lucky,VR and other Rafans….I think you’re interested to read this….
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nadal-infosys-snowball-june-2017
MA,
That was quite interesting! Those who love stats will enjoy it! Nice to see that Rafa is up there when it comes to return points won!
Thanks as always for finding these articles!
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Hey Nny!…How r u today?Okay?…Ermm…you’re welcome!!Hehe…Yeah..i think VR,Lucky and Hawks will be interested because they’re always fascinated with the stats…
Yeah,u’m really glad..everythings clicked together for our Rafa this year…it’s also showed his confidence level atm…i predict,if he can manage to stay healthy on NA HC swing,oh boy Nny!…we can see how the bull will rampaging everyone who dared to be in his path!!…Wooohooo!!!
Urgh!..sorry that little typo’s!!…That’s what u get when typing in the dark!!
MA
After all the times autocorrect garbled my words to you, no apologies necessary!
I do think the other Rafa fans you mentioned will appreciate the stats in that article. I am just so proud of Rafa for coming so far and working hard to be back at his best!
He is an inspiration to all of us!
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