PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal wins first round Wimbledon opener in straight sets

Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal  breezed into the second round on Monday with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Australian John Millman. Our champ become the seventh player to reach 850 match wins – after Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl, Guillermo Vilas, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi.

It was a good opportunity for our champ to find some rhythm on grass having played only two exhibition matches at the Hurlingham Club.

Rafa hit 33 winners to Millman’s 11 and made 18 unforced errors to the 17 that came from the 28-year-old.

After the match, Rafa said:

I don’t know how well I played, but the important thing is I’m through. I had a positive feeling and I’m happy how I was hitting my forehand.

For all the players it so special playing here and after the history I have here, I was so happy to be back.

I am happy the way I have started the season and now here I have the opportunity to compete well on the grass.

Our champ will play Donald Young in the second round. The American has beaten Denis Istomin 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 4-2 (ret).

33 comments

  1. Rafa
    This is good news..all of us are so proud of our Champ … Vamos Rafa 🏸🏸🎾🎾🇮🇪🇮🇪💕

    • Lillian this is an old post from 2017, last year. This year we are hoping for a title win.

  2. Totally cutie-pie in these pics 😍 Rafa looks so happy 😁🤗

    Congrats on your first round winner and good luck tomorrow Champ 😘🍀

    VAMOS RAFA!! 🎾💪🏼😅

    • Corretion: …”Your first round WIN” 😉

      – Could be nice if there was “an edit button” in here 📝😄👍🏻

    • Rafantastic, I believe you can use either word in this instance…..Cutie pie won’t mind👍

      his winner [of a match] – he won the match – I.e., he bested someone else

      his win – he won [the match – is understood]

      Of course, my reasoning could be incorrect but both sound Gr8…🤗 as our champ champed….LOL

      RAFA HAD A 150% WINNER OF A MATCH YESTERDAY BECAUSE HE ROCKS

      • Thx. Margo believe you’re right 😉👍🏻 – Either way Rafa is A WINNER! 🎾💪🏼😃❤️🌟🥇

        CHAMP RAFA ROCKS! 🤗

  3. Congrats!!!!! Great job Rafa. Just be very mindful of your knees and wrist. Stay calm and focused.

    Vamos Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!God bless you always. Cheers 🙂 🙂 🙂

  4. Buen comienzo!!!!! Buena señal d k tienes buena salud…suerte para el resto dl torneo…aselante k conseguiras tu tercero en Wimblendon….

  5. Rafa, your smile 🤗 tells me you’re in a good place…excellent. ✨🎾🇪🇸 Stick to the team’s game plan and if something isn’t working improvise as you know best how. Toni said you’ve got to keep rallies short [on grass] so try your best to do so when possible. Happy there are no indications of knee worries. I read the other day where you said they’ve been fine since 2015; happy news. One less worry for you. Just feel the grass.

    RAFA ROCKS 150%

  6. You can do it again, Rafa! Praying for you all the way! From your 69 year old fan. Wishing you all the best! 💕❤️ Go Rafa!!!

  7. Rafa from all the above reports it was a great game of yours and aggressive.Carlos will be VERY pleased with you.

    All the best for your next game,

    Love and prayers,

    AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX

  8. Congrats Rafa. Fantastic to see you play in WBN once again n Win. God bless you. Vamos Rafa. Your Aussie Abuela. Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑😀😊😇

  9. That beautiful smile says it all 😁😍
    Congrats Champ Rafa and the best of luck at Wednesdays match 🍀🤞🏻😘

    VAMOS! 🎾💪🏼❤️

  10. congratulations champ the first hurdle has been taken. You played well and agressive. Now up to the second round donald young is a complete other player. I think he will challenge you more. Be aware of your opponents in the first week rafa. You said it yourself this is a tournament that you can win but you can also lose very quickly.

    Rest well stay healthy eat healthy and dont hurt yourself. Good luck champ with your next match

  11. Millman was not a challenge, but he was a great opponent for Rafa’s first round. Rafa was serving well too. Every round gets harder, but a wonderful start. I love matches where Rafa gets an early break. Good for my nerves!

  12. God bless Rafael Nadal in all his efforts during Wimbledon and all of those players competing.
    Rafa looked splendid in all aspects of his game today especially his serve.
    Vamos Rafa! I am a forever fan. PCH

  13. You look absolutely magnificent in all white. So proud of you. Love you RAFA and always will. You are the best. Your 70 year old biggest fan. GO RAFA.

  14. Well done, Rafa! So happy to see you playing with confidence, power, and precision! Can’t wait to see your next match!

  15. Well the first hurdle is over for Rafa and he looked very much in control. He is always very wary of people he has never played before regardless of their ranking. This win will hopefully give him confidence going in to the next round.
    Since he has not played a match on grass for two years (just two exhibitions) , he put on a
    very positive showing. It was pleasing to see that when his serve was broken he broke back immediately, the mark of a confident player.
    Young will probably be a tougher competitor but Rafa should prevail, hopefully in straight sets. He needs to protect those knees..!!

  16. Way to go champ! Onwards and upwards. You were great today. Some of the rallies were breathtaking. Keep it going .
    Vamos

  17. Are we still at the French Open? 😉

    Rafa looked brillant today – so happy for him. All the best for the next round against Young.

    Vamos Rafa!!!

  18. Well done Rafael. What I saw, he looked aggressive, which is necessary on the grass. Vamos!

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