Rafael Nadal says his knees will be central to the success of his grass-court campaign.
Nadal is a two-time champion at Wimbledon, but has been past the third round just once since 2011. Though he appears to be in top form and has just won his 10th French Open, the Spaniard said the low-bouncing grass courts require more bending than on clay, and that means extra pressure on his knees.
"It’s true that after 2012, what happened with my knees, it’s] been tougher and tougher to compete on grass for me,” [he told reporters at the French Open. “But if I have pain on the knees, then I know from experience that it’s almost impossible because I need to feel strong, low and powerful legs. You need to play at a lower level."