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).
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v. John MIllman (AUS) on No.1 Court in the Gentlemen’s Singles First Round. The Championships 2017 at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 1 Monday 3rd July 2017. Credit: AELTC/Florian Eisele.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes a break between games against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v. John MIllman (AUS) on No.1 Court in the Gentlemen’s Singles First Round. The Championships 2017 at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 1 Monday 3rd July 2017. Credit: AELTC/Florian Eisele.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during the Gentlemen’s Singles first round match against John Millman of Australia on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the Gentlemen’s Singles first round match against John Millman of Australia on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the Gentlemen’s Singles first round match on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal changes his shirt between games against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal changes his shirt between games against Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain and John Millman of Australia shake hands after their Gentlemen’s Singles first round match on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) shakes hands with Australia’s John Millman (L) after Nadal won their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) shakes hands with Australia’s John Millman (L) after Nadal won their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Australia’s John Millman during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (July 2, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Credit: AELTC/Florian Eisele.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after the Gentlemen’s Singles first round match against John Millman of Australia on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his shirt after the Gentlemen’s Singles first round match against John Millman of Australia on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Rafael Nadal of Spain pretends to throw his shirt in to the crowd after his first round match against John Millman of Australia during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images,)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Rafael Nadal of Spain pretends to throw his shirt in to the crowd after his first round match against John Millman of Australia during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images,)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Rafael Nadal of Spain pretends to throw his shirt in to the crowd after his first round match against John Millman of Australia during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images,)
Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the fans after the Gentlemen’s Singles first round match against John Millman of Australia on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (July 2, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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%
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!!!
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
Congrats Rafa. Fantastic to see you play in WBN once again n Win. God bless you. Vamos Rafa. Your Aussie Abuela. Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑😀😊😇
Muchas felicidades Rafa vamos por el 3 Grand S. VAMOS RAFA
SO GLAD YOU WON, RAFA!!! I’m looking forward to seeing you bite the Wimbledon trophy AGAIN!!!! VAMOS!!!!!
Great job keep climbing very well played game
Does anyone know why Moya is not here?
The commentators said that he was not scheduled to be there. He has three young children.
That beautiful smile says it all 😁😍
Congrats Champ Rafa and the best of luck at Wednesdays match 🍀🤞🏻😘
VAMOS! 🎾💪🏼❤️
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
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!
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
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.
Well done, Rafa! So happy to see you playing with confidence, power, and precision! Can’t wait to see your next match!
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..!!
Congrats Rafa 🇪🇸🇪🇸
Btw does anyone know what happened during the match? the interruption! Something with the ball boys I think
Millman had a cut on his hand, but the commentators were never able to explain why the ball kids were involved.
Thanks for the info
The BBC said one of the ball boys was getting some treatment off court but that’s all I heard
Way to go champ! Onwards and upwards. You were great today. Some of the rallies were breathtaking. Keep it going .
Vamos
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!!!
Well done Rafael. What I saw, he looked aggressive, which is necessary on the grass. Vamos!