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Rafael Nadal happy to be pain-free for start of Wimbledon

The Australian Open and Roland Garros champion remains in the hunt for a Calendar Year Grand Slam as the No. 2 seed at SW19.

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Jun 26, 2022

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WATCH: Nadal affirmed his intent to play Wimbledon after leaving Roland Garros under an injury cloud.

Rafael Nadal says his recent foot treatment has left him pain-free for the first time since the start of 2021, boosting his confidence as he starts play at the All England Club.

Following his record-extending 14th win at the French Open, Nadal underwent two radiofrequency treatments in Barcelona to reduce the pain caused by the deterioration of a small bone in his right foot, which has been diagnosed as Muller-Weiss syndrome.

During his pre-event press conference, Nadal confirmed the treatment appears to be successful, at least for the moment.

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We cannot be talking about my foot every single day. If not, we forget the most important thing, that is tennis. Rafael Nadal

"It's obvious that if I am here, it's because things are going better," he said. "First of all, I can walk normal most of the days, almost every single day. That's for me the main issue.

"And second thing, practicing. I didn't have... one... of these terrible days that I can't move at all. Of course, days better, days a little bit worse."

Nadal, who warmed up for the grass Grand Slam by playing the Hurlingham exhibition, added that while the improvement was significant, he could not say whether he could compete pain-free the entire event.

"I don't have experience on that. Something new. I didn't try it. I can't tell you if I going to be in that positive moment for one week, for two days, or for three months," he said. "Of course, the treatment that I did didn't fix my injury, not improving my injury at all, but can take away a little bit the pain. That's the main goal."

But the 35-year-old emphasized that once the competition begins, his aim is to only be concentrating on his game as he goes for a third straight Slam victory, having also won the Australian Open.

"We cannot be talking about my foot every single day. If not, we forget the most important thing, that is tennis," he said.

Nadal is the No. 2 seed and starts against Francisco Cerundolo.

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