By Sarah Alvanipour
Exclusive to VamosRafael.com
June 6, 2024
Just one day after winning his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, tennis prodigy Rafael Nadal arrived in Halle, Germany for the Gerry Weber Open, one of two grass-court tournaments that rings in the surface�s short-lived tenure. Upon arrival, Nadal was personally welcomed by tournament director, Ralf Weber, who presented him with a large bouquet of flowers. Even the famed grass of center court must have been green with envy.
Despite rumors by the cynical who predicted that the 19-year-old Spaniard and new World No. 3 would come down with a phantom injury and withdraw from the tournament to take a rest after breaking the record for consecutive clay-court wins with a string of 24 match wins, Nadal announced in his post-match press conference that he would indeed be making the trip to Germany. Nadal is also scheduled to play the Ordina Open next week in the Netherlands as part of his pre-Wimbledon preparations. Although most famous for his clay-court prowess, as many Spanish and South American players are, Nadal has admitted that his favorite major to win is in fact Wimbledon.
Although only 19 and bursting through the seams with energy, Nadal must be weary of the number of miles he is tracking on his legs, having played 54 matches already this year, with half of those coming in the past eight weeks alone. That total is the most of any player ranked in the Race top 20. But the co-No. 1 in the Champions Race has the advantage of a well-composed team managing his career, headed by his uncle and Coach, Toni Nadal. He also has the advantage of being 19 and maybe those Capri pants have something to do with his bountiful energy.
The future looks bright, but as with the sun, looking far too much into it can burn you, and even the young Matador from Mallorca has priorities and expectations in tact. �I can't challenge for the [Wimbledon] title. I want to improve, no? For that, I go to play in Halle this week, and I like a lot play in grass. I know is not my best surface, is a little bit fast. I need to improve some things in my game for play better in grass and in the fast courts. And I want to improve the serve and the volley, and for that I going to play in grass one or two tournaments before. And doubles, too,� he stated yesterday.
Nadal will begin his season on pastures of Halle on Wednesday, taking on German wildcard and doubles specialist Alexander Waske in the opening round of competition, which begins today. Unlike the concurrent grass tournament at the Queen�s Club in London which hosts a draw of 56, the Weber Open does not award first-round �byes� to the top seeds. Should Nadal prevail against the Waske�s well-suited serve and volley game, he could potentially encounter countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round.
Nadal will also partner with compatriot and good friend Felicano Lopez in doubles competition where he will face Waske once again along with his partner Nicolas Kiefer in first round doubles action.
So for many now, the grass is definitely greener on Nadal�s side of fence, but how long can that last? Only he holds the answer to the question on everyone�s mind.
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