Rafael Nadal confirms his intention to compete at Wimbledon for the first time in three years

Rafael Nadal He confirmed on Friday that he plans to play at Wimbledon for the first time in three years.

Nadal, who won his 14th French Open title earlier this month, will try to win his 23rd Grand Slam title at this year’s All England Championship.

The 36-year-old suffers from Muller-Weiss syndrome, which causes chronic pain in his foot. The world number four at Roland Garros said he’s had repeated injections into a nerve to numb the pain, but was about to see a specialist for a new surgery – radiofrequency neurectomy – and wouldn’t play at Wimbledon if it wasn’t successful.

But at a press conference in Mallorca, after a week of training on grass, Nadal confirmed his intention to compete in the Grand Slam.

“[The medical treatment] “Done in Barcelona is not 100% instant, but the changes are noticeable. I’ve noticed them, strange sensations, my joint pain has gone down,” Nadal said.

“I plan to play Wimbledon and travel to London on Monday.”

Nadal last played at Wimbledon in 2019, where he lost in the semi-finals to Roger Federer. He was a two-time singles title at the All England Club, winning in 2008 and 2010.

The 2022 Australian and French Open champion still has concerns about a foot injury, and added that despite his intention to take part in the competition, “it is too early to give a definitive answer.”

“My situation on my feet has to be evaluated day in and day out, so at the moment I don’t have that certainty of my ability to play. I only know I want to play the tournament, but we also have to be careful.

“In the early days I had complicated feelings, day by day I got better. Another week of training in London and I hope to be able to play at Wimbledon and be competitive to do that.”