‘Wimbledon has always been a priority’ – Rafael Nadal confirms he will play, as long as his body allows

Rafael Nadal will play Wimbledon this year but only if he can manage the stress on his ageing body without the use of the same pain killers he has been forced to utilise during Roland Garros.

The world number four is not a fan of using anaesthetics to allow him to compete.

But they were the only solution for Paris this year.

However, he has insisted they definitely will not be an option for Wimbledon 2022.

Nadal was speaking after claiming an astonishing 14th men’s singles trophy at Roland Garros when he revealed his plans for the British grass court Slam.

He said: “Wimbledon has always been a priority.

“If it works with the new treatment yes [I’ll play].

“If not, no, I won’t do anaesthetics again, it’s not my philosophy of life.”

Nadal explained that the anaesthetics are a short term solution.

Moreover, he was only willing to use them so heavily at his personally most important Slam, the two weeks of Roland Garros.

Should Nadal play Wimbledon he will be in with the chance of completing the Calendar Grand Slam.

No player, man or woman, has achieved that feat since Steffi Graf in 1988, and no man has done so since Rod Laver in 1969.

Novak Djokovic came close in 2021 but fell at the final hurdle at the US Open.

Nadal would also stretch his trophy lead over Djokovic and Roger Federer to three in the GOAT race were he to play and win at Wimbledon.

The Spaniard skipped the grass Slam last year, the foot being the biggest factor in that decision too.

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