Rafael Nadal's PR manager quashes claims that he will miss Wimbledon as Spaniard's name appears on tournament entry list
With Spanish legend Rafael Nadal's name appearing on the Wimbledon entry list, rumors of him missing this year's edition have seemingly been put to rest.
Shortly after Rafael Nadal's press conference following his French Open semifinal match against Alexander Zverev on Friday, reports of the Spaniard missing this year's Wimbledon started doing the rounds. MARCA, a Spanish national daily sports newspaper, was the first to break the news. They have since taken the article down.
However, Nadal's PR manager Benito Perez-Barbadillo, replying to a tennis journalist on Twitter on Saturday, denied the reports. He stated that if Nadal stays physically fit, the Spaniard will participate at Wimbledon this year.
"That information from Marca was false. I spoke to the journalist yesterday after the press conference. They took down the article immediately. Spoke to your British colleagues also. Rafa will try everything within the limits to be at Wimbledon," Benito Perez-Barbadillo's tweet read.
Rafael Nadal is on the hunt for a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title in Paris
After recording his best-ever start to the season this year, 21-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal battled a few injuries ahead of the 2022 French Open. The Spaniard entered the tournament having played just five claycourt matches and with no clay titles for the first time in 18 years (barring 2020 when only Rome was held).
As such, the 13-time French Open champion was not considered the favorite to win in Paris. But proving his doubters wrong, the Spaniard powered his way to the Roland Garros final for a record 14th time in his career.
Nadal, who has never lost in a final at the French Open, will face Norway's first-time Slam finalist Casper Ruud on Sunday.
Nadal reached the final after Alexander Zverev was forced to retire due to an ankle injury in the semifinals with the Spaniard leading 7-6(8), 6-6. Ruud, on the other hand, beat Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to become the first Norwegian man to reach a Grand Slam final.