PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN – JUNE 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain in a practice session during day five of the WTA Mallorca Open at Country Club Santa Ponsa on June 21, 2019 in Mallorca, Spain. Rafael Nadal held his practice after winning Roland Garros. He starts preparing for Wimbledon. on June 21, 2019 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal attends a training session at Country Club in Santa Ponsa, Majorca, Spain, as he prepares for Wimbledon, 21 June 2019. Rafa Nadal attends training session !ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG! PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xCATIxCLADERAx GRAF2284 20190621-636967311724782828
epa07663598 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal attends a training session at the Country Club in Santa Posa, Mallorca, Spain, 21 June 2019. Nadal prepares for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships. EPA-EFE/CATI CLADERA
PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN – JUNE 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain in a practice session during day five of the WTA Mallorca Open at Country Club Santa Ponsa on June 21, 2019 in Mallorca, Spain. Rafael Nadal held his practice after winning Roland Garros. He starts preparing for Wimbledon. on June 21, 2019 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal attends a training session at Country Club in Santa Ponsa, Majorca, Spain, as he prepares for Wimbledon, 21 June 2019. Rafa Nadal attends training session !ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG! PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xCATIxCLADERAx GRAF2288 20190621-636967311742282821
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during a training session at the Country Club in Santa Posa, Mallorca, Spain, 21 June 2019. Nadal prepares for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships. EPA-EFE/, Image: 450408837, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, TEMP EPA
Rafael Nadal told reporters on Friday that he has had some productive practice sessions on grass in recent days and is hopeful his level at this year’s Wimbledon will be as high as in 2018.
After many months without playing on grass the first day I had a muscular overload because the grass is a little more unstable. So we decided to stop and continue with the training on both Wednesday and Thursday normally.
Playing on the grass of Wimbledon after playing on clay is the most radical transition there is in tennis. But I am happy with the adaptation to that surface that I have made during these four days on the tracks of Mallorca Open.
Winning Wimbledon again depends on playing well, rather than on the draw. It’s a little bit more special in the sense that you do not face any tournament like that before you play it, that’s why it’s more unpredictable. And the beginning [of the tournament] has a big impact, maybe it’s more uncertain to start playing in Wimbledon than at Roland Garros or the US Open.
In addition, all matches on grass are very tight and there are specialist players who adapt better than others to that surface.
Sources: EFE, express.co.uk
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Be confident sir, your Hard work
Energy relax between matches is important then you are the best cpmetent of wimbledon mens 2019, you have 100% chances,never give up, follow the game,review when playing big players.
Marileena, Thanks for your in depth analysis and referencing of the ESPN article for all of us to check out. This knowledge makes it all the more remarkable that Rafa won the FO and Wimbledon back to back when they were only two weeks apart. Adding the extra week in 2015 was long overdue. May the King of Clay reign again on the hallowed grass courts of England.
Here…here…. I’ll drink to that!!
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS SWEETHEART AND ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!:) WE LOVE YOU AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) IT WILL BE A GREAT BEAUTIFUL TOUR FOR YOU SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND ENJOY YOUR PRECIOUS FITNESS AND BEAUTIFUL POINT BY POINT PRECIOUS TENNIS!!!!!!!:) ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL WEEK SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!:) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS SWEETHEART AND ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!:) WE LOVE YOU AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) IT WILL BE A GREAT BEAUTIFUL TOUR FOR YOU SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND ENJOY YOUR PRECIOUS FITNESS AND BEAUTIFUL POINT BY POINT PRECIOUS TENNIS!!!!!!!:) ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL WEEK SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!:) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Does anyone remember if Rafa has had this problem in previous years? All of the players who just competed at Queens and Halle had also been at RG and seemed to make the transition from clay to grass without problem. Rafa stated that some adapt better than others. Wondering what his unique situation is.
RR….There was a great article written in 2006 (and is still apropos today) and posted on the ESPN website called “Transition from Clay to Grass a difficult one” in which the writer reveals why it is so difficult to come off of Roland Garros and 15 -20 days later play Wimbledon. Interestingly he references both Rafa and Roger throughout the article . ( 13 years younger) in which Rafa says there should be more space in between the tournaments … and Roger expresses all the muscle groups you use at RG are different when going to Wimbledon”
“In the beginning, I always get back pain,” Federer said. “Many balls are very low and you always have to go down and get it. You feel that. Same as maybe the groin areas on grass affect you in the beginning.
“But once you’re used to it, it’s really easy on the body.”
Patrick McEnroe, the U.S. Davis Cup captain, agreed.
“The balls skid a lot more and stay low,” McEnroe said. “It forces you to use a different muscle group. Your ass — can I say that on the Internet? — gets really sore. For the first few days, it’s really, really tough.”
I think the article is a great read for everyone here as Rafa is quoted as saying back then that it’s a tough transition for him but he really likes it that hasn’t changed for him. He still really likes it,
To this extent of “muscle groups” one practice for Rafa on grass last week . (after an intense clay court season) put a lot of tax on his body as he described as “muscle overload”. It makes sense now that he’s on grass that this happened. And so the more he practices on the grass the easier it gets as he’s adjusting physically and mentally to the surface and he seems pleased with the “adaptation” .
Looking forward to the Hurlingham exhibition…
VAMOS RAFA!!!
Rafa, I cannot wait to see you back at Wimbledon this year and claim the title that was rightfully yours last year. Congratulations also to fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez who has taken the singles title at The Queen”s Club and also the doubles partnered with Andy Murray. Great to see Andy back and I am sure Rafa will be the first to congratulate his friends on their victory.
I am so happy that the picture of Rafa having his knee stretched was during his second training session, either June 18 or 19. He had the muscle overload on Monday, June 17, his first day of training and decided to slow down. Thank goodness.
He appears to be practicing well, according to his statement to the press, and I just hope that the knee incident was a one-time occurrence because of his too quick attempt at transitioning to a grass surface. After a week off with family and friends he may have been too eager to practice full strength, something he’s done throughout his career.
Please Rafa, listen to your body. I can wait to next year for that Double.
RAFA ROCKS
Dear Rafa we are all hoping your health ( muscles and knees) will be fine for Wmbd. Best Wishes my Champion..& King on any surface. Vamos Rafa always
FO was exhilarating but demanding of body and mind. Play smart to remain healthy and confident.
All the best to the Nadal team.💪👊👍👏🍀❣️
Vamos Rafael lets take the tittle this year at Wimbledon!!!!!
I hope you are ok Rafa vamosssssssssssss champ your fans miss you on the court get well ❤️😘💪🎾❤️😘💪🎾❤️😘💪❤️😘💪❤️😘💪❤️😘💪❤️😘💪❤️💪🎾😘🎾🎾🎾🎾❤️❤️❤️❤️💪
Rafa,
You do not have to play at Wimbulton at all to prove anything. Play when it feels right, not when you feel you have to!! There is no shame attached to bowing out of anything in life when life is better without it. You will give your best to anything you do… we all know that. Your body and soul need to agree for things to be good!!!! .
I send hopes that your body and mind are well enough to do what you love whenever possible.
Good to hear you are happy with your preparations at the Mallorca Open. Have fun playing your exhibition matches at The Hurlingham Club next week. Stay healthy and fit and all the best at Wimbledon❤️
Yes… that picture we all saw of Rafa laying down while the trainer worked on his right knee was telling…. so glad he is easing into the grass and that he is pleased with the results so far…
He knows his limits…
Nice and easy Rafa….
Hopefully everything is ok <3
So glad it sounds like you are ok. The title of this article was scary. Looking forward to seeing you play next,
Strokes of Genius.