Nadal takes annual steps onto grass

Rafael Nadal stepped onto a grass court on Monday to mark the start of his Wimbledon preparation as the winner of the season’s first two Grand Slams casts his eye on a possible third major trophy in 2022.

The 36-year-old is also continuing the pulsed radio frequency treatment on the troublesome foot which had reduced him to playing with pain-killing injections for years.

Nadal made his season grass training debut at the venue for next week’s ATP grass tournament on his home island of Mallorca.

The winner of 22 Grand Slams has not played a Tour grass match since 2019, with Wimbledon cancelled due to the COVID pandemic in 2020 and the Spaniard injured a year ago.

The Nadal camp said the return to hitting just over a week after winning a 14th Roland Garros title in Paris would last for “three or four days with normal maintenance of physical activity.”

Should everything work out as planned, the sessions will “depend on the evolution of the treatment.”

The training this week at Santa Ponsa will be closed to the eager local public.

Wimbledon, where Nadal lifted trophies in 2008 and 2010, begins in a fortnight on June 27.

Main photo:- Rafael Nadal with Roger Federer and Trophy after he wins Men’s final in five sets in 2008 by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd