Rafa Nadal ‘feeling good’ ahead of Wimbledon but coach admits he’s third favourite for the title
Francisco Roig, the current coach of Rafa Nadal, has stated that the Spanish veteran “feels good” and the treatment on his foot “has worked so far” but has argued that Nadal is not the leading contender for the Wimbledon title.
Rafael Nadal’s season has been hampered by the chronic foot problem which kept him out for the majority of 2021.
The issue flared up again at the Italian Open in May and there were major doubts about his participation at the French Open, but he managed to battle pain and opponents as he went on to win a record-extending 14th title in Paris and a 22nd Grand Slam.
The injury clouds did not disappear after the French Open as he was also touch and go for Wimbledon, but he opted for a new treatment – radiofrequency ablation to the nerve in his foot – in an attempt to prolong his career.
Nadal is yet to lose a Grand Slam match in 2022 as he also won the Australian Open and winning at Wimbledon would keep his hopes of a Calendar Grand Slam alive.
Nadal’s coach Francisco Roig gave an update on the 36-year-old’s treatment and how the Spaniard was feeling.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Spain’s COPE, the 54-year-old said, “Rafa has to go to Wimbledon because he feels good and the treatment so far has worked. He is going to try to win. The pressure is always there. His feelings have always been good.”
However, Roig continued as he argued that defending champion Novak Djokovic and the in-form Matteo Berrettini are ahead of him when it comes to favourites for winning the tournament.
“With Rafa you aspire to everything. The favourites are Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini and Rafa, in this order. If we reach the second week, Rafa will [need to] be ahead of Berrettini.”
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