ATP: “Rafa” is back: Nadal starts Wimbledon preparation in Santa Ponsa

Eight days after his historic eleventh French Open triumph, Rafael Nadal started his preparation for Wimbledon in Santa Ponsa. The Spaniard took advantage of the good conditions at the Malloca Open, this week’s women’s tournament, to train on the lush green.

By Ulrike Weinrich from Santa Ponsa/Majorca

At six minutes after eleven o’clock on Monday morning Rafael Nadal entered the Mallorca Open complex in the southwest of the holiday island. The Spanish superstar was spared the great madness before his grass court training premiere this season. On Kids Day of all days he managed to get to court number five of the former country club – at the back of the corner – almost undisturbed.

When the children and young people realized who had just walked past them with a baseball cap and racket bag over their shoulders, the “King of Clay” had almost reached his goal. And the Mallorcan apparently enjoyed the preparation for his first large 90-minute exercise session on grass this year.

Visibly in a good mood, he sat on a chair on the edge of the square for ten minutes under optimal weather conditions and did not miss the opportunity to greet his compatriot Lara Arruabarrena, who was training in front of him, with kisses – including a small talk afterwards. “Rafa”, the nice boy next door, who knows what to do.

However, Nadal, who had cancelled his participation in this week’s tournament in Queens, was in no hurry to return to the daily practice after Roland Garros’ magical Sunday. Before it really went to the point, he let his physio tap his left hand and tapped around smiling on his smartphone. The good piece he threw afterwards for Nadal’s conditions – keyword: Set up bottles during the match! quite carelessly into his bat bag.

Of course, before the first rally with coach Carlos Moya, the world number two checked the height of the net and left nothing to chance, at least from a tennis-specific point of view. With talcum from the orange tube he briefly prepared his hands before the 32-year-old strolled to the baseline.

The kids got their money’s worth after all. The clay court next to court five was opened – and the training lapwings could take their photos. Good, because as fast as the sand court king had come, he ran away again. Of course, not without many children, but still to fulfill the selfie and autograph wish. “Rafa” just…

And more sequels could follow. It is quite possible that Nadal will take advantage of the best courts of Santa Ponsa several times during the Mallorca Open Week, as she did last year. His uncle Toni acts as tournament director at the women’s event, which is endowed with 250,000 euros.

And to get training times is not really difficult for someone like Rafael Nadal even during an ongoing women’s tournament.