22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal is through to the second round at The Championships after beating Argentine world No. 41 Francisco Cerundolo in four sets.
Playing his first official match since winning the Roland Garros title earlier this month, Rafa won his Centre Court contest 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in three hours and 33 minutes.
“First of all all the credit to Francisco, I think he started to play great and was a very tough opponent.
“Three years without being here on this amazing surface, it is amazing to be back and I can’t thank [people] enough for the support.
“It is not a surface that we play very often especially in my case in the last three years I didn’t put any foot on the grass. Every day is a test and I am at the beginning of the tournament and the difficult circumstances [under which] I arrived here.
“When you play well in Roland Garros it’s not much time between. I used to remember all beautiful days I finished the final in Roland Garros and was playing on the grass at Queens but by body is not allowing me.”
For me the most important thing is that I am in Wimbledon 2022 and I won the first match.”
Our champ goes on to play against Ricardas Berankis (def. American Sam Querrey) in the second round on Thursday.
Excellent way to start. ___lots of tests. Much better to start with hard and accomplish, no.? Well done with the mental strength! VAMOS. on to the second test!!!!!
Ok we’re done now with the opening jitters, right? No matter what Rafa won and of course his humility about it was foremost. Onward! Well done, Rafa! God bless you!
Well done and congrats to Rafa. Vamos! ✌
Well done Rafa such a tough third set but you came back in the fourth. Onwards and upwards to the next round. Vamos x
Whew, I will confess to being worried, but Rafa lifted his level at just the right time. I hope that a tough test like today will only make him stronger.
Wow, rare to see the kind of lapse we did from Rafa in set 3, cerundolo played stunning tennis for a set and a half and even set 1 was not easy for Rafa. But he survived by raising his level at the right time. The stats were a bit ugly for him, but he will definitely improve going forward. FAA just lost to Cressy today and with Berretini and Cilic withdrawals his side of the draw has been ripped open but shapovalov and kyrgios are extremely dangerous. Berankis and Cressy as well.
Shapo and Kyrios are on the other quarter with Stefano… so not too worried right now
Congrats to Rafa! That was a tough third set. Here’s hoping the extra work will benefit Rafa as he goes to R2.
In the last 24 hours Rafa’s side of the draw has lost Cilic, Berrenttini and FAA. Amazing tournament so far.
Congrats on the win, Rafa. Stay safe and tough. Find your way, day by day. You are absolutely correct-players who excel at one tournament have little time before the next one begins. All the best👏👍🤛💪🍀🎾❤️
I was very glad when that match finished! Tough opener, but he got through it.
Tough test from a very accomplished player. I was concerned when Rafa fell but thankfully no injury. He showed his traditional resilience in the fourth set, calm and brave. What a champion. Now to rest and recover. Well done Rafa 👏👏👏
Vamos Rafa !!! So strong, so extremely strong how you turned that fourth set round , how you took your opponents breath away . Congratulations and so happy to see you on the green grass of Wimbledon , 15 minutes walk from my home 👏👏👏👏 we love and support you forever !
Well done Rafa!! 😀. Congrats for this win. We all know grass is tough, especially when you haven’t played since 2019, still need to addapt for this surface, little by little, slowly slowly, piano piano 😉. And your game, your skills will come. Wimbledon never easy to no one. Keep going, go for it our dear Raging Bull, VAMOSSSSSSSSS 👍🏻👏🏻💪🏻🙌🏻👌🏻.
Just please take care because of COVID-19 and your foot.
THIS IS YOUR TIME TO FLY… 💚🙏🏻😌
Tough start but at the end Rafa found a way to win❤️ Keep going and all the best for the second round.
Yay! One down….NEXT! ; )
Congratulations Rafa for making it easy for us to finish him in 4. Onto next one
Good luck and improve your stats in next one