For the last five years at Wimbledon, Nadal fans have feared the worst virtually every time their man has taken the court. That’s what first-week losses to Lukas Rosol, Dustin Brown, and Steve Darcis will do to you. While Nadal may eventually face another surprise tormentor in 2018, the 33-year-old, 67th-ranked Dudi Sela wouldn’t seem to be the man for the job. He’s lost all six sets he’s played to Nadal, and while Rafa was winning titles in Rome and Paris this spring, Sela was playing Challenger events in Busan and Gimcheon. Worst of all, Sela is just 5’9”, and he uses a one-handed backhand, which theorectically should make him mincemeat against Nadal’s high-bouncing crosscourt forehand. Steve Darcis faced similar odds against Rafa in 2013 and won. But there’s only one Shark. Winner: Nadal
WATCH—Rafael Nadal Racquet Bracket: