By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday June 22, 2022
When it comes to the health, fitness and form of Rafael Nadal ahead of Wimbledon, worries are quickly abating.
After undergoing radiofrequency ablation treatment on his left foot two weeks ago, Nadal is exceeding expectations already. Today he defeated Stan Wawrinka – 6-2, 6-3 – in an impressively played grass-court exhibition at Hurlingham, the Spaniard moving and playing with purpose as he eased past the Swiss.
It’s another sign that Nadal is ready to make a push at Wimbledon, where he is a two-time champion (and a semifinalist in his last two appearances in 2018 and 2019), with hopes of winning a third consecutive major title in 2022.
After spending last week practicing on grass in Mallorca, Nadal has moved his training base to Wimbledon, where he appears to be in excellent shape.
From the moment Nadal won his 22nd major title in Paris on June 5, the Spaniard has expressed his desire to compete at Wimbledon.
“I'm going to be in Wimbledon if my body is ready to be in Wimbledon,” he told reporters. “That's it. Wimbledon is not a tournament that I want to miss. I think nobody want to miss Wimbledon. I love Wimbledon. I had a lot of success there. I live amazing emotions there. So full credit and respect to the tournament. A player like me, I am always ready to play Wimbledon.
“So if you ask me if I will be in Wimbledon, I can't give you a clear answer. If I want to win Wimbledon, of course. Let's see how the treatment works. I don't know.”