Rafael Nadal reportedly begins grasscourt preparations in Mallorca
There is an air of uncertainty surrounding Rafael Nadal as he gears up for the grasscourt season. The 22-time Grand Slam champion won his 14th French Open crown earlier this month, defeating four top-10 opponents en route, but his path wasn't free of physical discomfort.
Nadal had to take multiple injections to numb the pain on his foot, which is the only reason he was able to play. At the end of the tournament, the Spaniard announced he wouldn't play Wimbledon this year if such drastic measures were needed to be taken again.
But according to Marca, Nadal has hit the grasscourts of Mallorca to prepare for the possibility of playing at SW19 later this month. The Country Club of Santa Ponça in Mallorca has one of the most natural grasscourts in the country, and will host the ATP 250 Mallorca Open next week.
Nadal underwent a new treatment on his foot - radio frequency ablations - last week, and the practice session might have been just to see the result of the procedure. The Spaniard was seen on crutches soon after undergoing treatment in Barcelona.
@marcaLa impactante imagen de Rafael Nadal en muletas tras recibir el nuevo tratamiento para el pie. El campeón de Roland Garros 2022 no se detiene en el proceso para seguir compitiendo.“No sé que pasará en el futuro, pero continuaré luchando para seguir”
📹@marca https://t.co/ARiSXSsrn6
"If he has a small chance, he will play at Wimbledon" - Toni Nadal on Rafael Nadal's Wimbledon participation
Going into the French Open this year, Rafael Nadal was troubled by a foot injury which he aggravated against Denis Shapovalov in the third round of the Italian Open. He subsequently put to rest any doubts by winning Roland Garros, beating the likes of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev along the way.
Questions regarding his fitness continue to do the rounds as he heads into Wimbledon. But according to his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, the Spaniard will do everything in his power to play at SW19 later this month.
Toni Nadal expects his nephew to take part in the grasscourt Slam, given that he is supposedly responding well to the new treatment. Toni is more than positive about the 22-time Slam champion's chances of playing.
"First he said: Everything hurts. But when we talked yesterday, he said it's going much better. He wants to train. And if he has a small chance, he will play at Wimbledon. He goes to the grass on Monday," Toni Nadal said.
Toni Nadal said on Saturday that his nephew Rafael looks on track to play at Wimbledon, where the first round begins on June 27, as treatment continues on the world number four's foot problem u.afp.com/waZn #AFPSports https://t.co/HEBYE30snR
Rafael Nadal has won the grasscourt Slam twice, in 2008 and 2010. Despite the tournament not carrying any points this year, the Spaniard will be keen to add another Major to his tally and extend his lead over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.