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Rafael Nadal struggled more than expected to get the better of Francisco Cerundolo at Wimbledon. The former world number 1, who hadn't walked the London lawns for three years, had a proud reaction in the fourth set, preventing the game from going to the fifth.
During his career, the Spanish phenomenon has often appeared vulnerable in the first rounds of this tournament, only to improve significantly in the second week. 2022 has given Rafa a lot of joys so far; just think that the 36-year-old from Manacor has won two Grand Slams and won the first 20 matches played this year.
The Iberian thus hoisted himself to 22 Majors, extending over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time standings. Thanks to his triumph at Melbourne Park, Nadal has become the fourth man in history to have won all Grand Slams at least twice (along with Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson).
We'll see if the Majorcan succeeds in yet another feat at Church Road. Through his Twitter profile, Andy Roddick praised Nadal's improvements to the net.
Roddick praises Rafa Nadal
"Rafael Nadal might have the best volleys in the world.
Doesn’t get talked about because he doesn’t come forward that often. Love seeing it on the grass. Similar to Hewitt. Short list of best volleys in our generation. Just didn’t have to do it that often," Roddick wrote.
Former Doubles No. 1 Mark Woodforde said on the US Open podcast recently that he considered Nadal to be the best volleyer in the game at present. "Even when I'm commentating now and watching, when I see Nadal get to net today, quite often I'll say it, I consider him the best volleyer in our game today," Woodforde said.
"His technique is not always the prettiest but he's always volleying into the open court. I hit a ton of low volleys and a ton of half volleys. I don't think I've ever seen this guy hit a half volley, he's always just in the right place." The Wimbledon Championships, one of the most traditionally rich tennis tournaments, with its roots dating back to 1877.
The tournament has a set of customs and traditions that have been followed since then. One of them is the white attire. Following her first-round win over Jodie Anna Burrage on Monday, Lesia Tsurenko headed for the media interaction.
During the interaction, she expressed her wish to wear something to show support for her country. “Can we wear the ribbon on the match?” she questioned the reporters.