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Nadal’s stellar start to the 2022 season has put him in a new position at Wimbledon. For the first time, the Spaniard enters London half-way to the Grand Slam — winning all four majors in the same season. Nadal brings a 30-3 season record into the event, with four tour-level titles in tow.
Like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz — both first-round winners on Monday — Nadal did not play any grass-court events in the build-up to Wimbledon. But he is no stranger to the surface — the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champion is making his 15th appearance at the major.
- “You can never, absolutely never, write Nadal off” – Bartoli | tennismajors.com
“At the Australian Open, when he was coming back from injury, none of us gave Nadal a chance there. At Roland-Garros, with everything that happened at Rome, none of us gave him a chance there. I do not want to write him off because he is definitely going to surprise us,” Bartoli said.
“You can never, absolutely never, write him off. He has a tougher draw. Novak Djokovic looks to have a slightly easier draw, and again it’s only on paper. As long as Rafa steps on to the court, he goes there because he thinks and he knows he has a chance to win the title.”
- Expert picks: Who will win Wimbledon in 2022? | Australian Open
Nicole Pratt: “You can never, ever count Nadal out. And he’s in a moment in time, that, it’s phenomenal – he’d be going for his third Slam of the year, at the age that he is. He’s a champion, who finds a way. That match between him and Djokovic at the French was extraordinary; toe to toe, and obviously Nadal owns Roland Garros, that is what probably got him across the line… that’s a little bit different at Wimbledon.”
Social media related to Rafa:
Novak Djokovic: “Of course, you have to put him as one of the favorites even though he hasn’t played in Wimbledon for I think last three years. But still, you know, he is Nadal, he has achieved what he has achieved throughout his career. And also this year, which gives you a lot of confidence you know, in his case. If we get to face each other, that means that we’re both in the finals, which I think we both want. I’d love to face him in the finals and get revenge for Paris.”
Emma Raducanu: “Of course, I think Rafa just embodies fight, that sort of energy. That’s what I’m bringing in. In terms of energy-wise, I think that I have had a tough year, like it’s no secret. It is all worth it just to go out on Centre Court and get a win like that.“
Djokovic is a fierce competitor who absolutely hates losing out to anyone especially on a big stage like a grand slam event. And when he loses to the likes of Nadal and Federer, his anguish becomes manifold. No wonder Djokovic is harbouring the burning desire to avenge his loss against Nadal at RG2022.
Grass can be a very unkind surface at times – especially in the first week. An average player having a great day can defeat a top player on his off-day. Obviously, it’s far too early to even think of a final between Djokovic and Nadal as they both have to win several matches before meeting in the final.
A spirited Kokkinakis, who has some personal influence of Nick Kyrgios, has the weapons on grass coupled with his care-free attitude to take out Djokovic in the second round. If Djokovic survives Kokkinakis, he will face the challenge from either Tabilo or Kecmanovic in the third round. If he still survives, he can possibly face Tim van Rijthovan in the fourth round, the fast-emerging player on grass who recently beat Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz in succession.
Judging from yesterday’s level of Djokovic’s game against Kwon, it’s quite possible that Djokovic may not even survive the early rounds this time at SW19. He will have to hold his RG2022 anger for the time being to vent it out at some other Hard Court event where he is allowed to compete.
Last year Djokovic also lost first set in the first round so let’s not be naive and think that he isn’t well prepared for another title.
Good luck and Vamos Rafa❤️
Looking good good luck rafa
I hope they do not meet in the finals. Champions do not “target “another for revenge. Novak is not someone to be looked up to. Vamos Rafa. Play for the joy of it!!!!
To talk of revenge in sports by Novak shows very poorly of his sportsmanship. I don’t know what he would do if he lost in the finals against Rafa – but I suggest he should immerse his head in sand till such time, revelation occurs that sports are meant to play and enjoy the competition and no revenge is involved either by the loser or even by the winner!
No wonder that Novak is liked by very few – possibly some out of commitment to him rather than sport as a game to be played/ watched and enjoyed!!
Bartoli is for a reason a player with the highest IQ even though we all know to never write Rafa off. 😀
Wishing you the best of luck Rafa, Vamos x
Rafa may not believe in God (praying for change in that area), but God CLEARLY believes in Rafa! Go get em champ! Your support team is beyond your wildest dreams and we KNOW you can take Wimbledon!
Two down [AO, FO], two to go…..GOOD LUCK RAFA