Rafael Nadal has announced his intention to play Wimbledon and becoming a father in a press conference in Mallorca on Friday.
Speculation was growing about Nadal’s participation at Wimbledon this year after the Spaniard had to go through foot injections during his run to a 22nd grand slam title.
After Roland Garros Nadal said that he would have to go through treatment on his foot before making a decision on his participation at SW19.
However despite being on crutches a week ago, it seems Nadal’s treatment has gone well and the Spaniard will look to play at Wimbledon a week on Monday.
In a press conference to journalists in Mallorca he confirmed his attention to play Wimbledon, “I have not felt so much pain this week,” Nadal was quoted as saying by Tom Allnutt.
“My intention is to try to play at Wimbledon. This week here tells me there is a chance I can play. With the treatment in the nerves, strange things happen in your foot. You feel numb in some areas and not in others.
“It’s normal, after a few weeks the nerves reorganise themselves. A bit of pain, but different to before, which for me is progress. Do a week of training to see if it’s possible. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t think I could play.”
The plan for Nadal is to go to Hurlingham Club to play a couple of exhibition matches where Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud and Andy Murray also expected to feature.
Then Nadal will see how things pan out before assessing his Wimbledon chances where the Spaniard will look to win his 24th grand slam title.
Not only is a 24th grand slam title on the line but a chance to strengthen his chance of achieving the calendar grand slam.
Nadal also said that his plan was to “play Wimbledon, rest, then Canada and then the US Open,” as he goes after his calendar grand slam.
In more personal news there was also another reason for Nadal to celebrate as he announced that he would become a father.
There had been reports that this was the case but Nadal confirmed the news this afternoon, “If all goes well, I’m going to be a father,” Nadal proudly claimed.
“I’m not used to talking about my personal life, prefer to keep a low-profile. I don’t anticipate this meaning a change to my professional life.”
Congratulations to Nadal and he will look to celebrate in fine fashion at Wimbledon which gets underway on the 27th of June.
