Rafael Nadal is back in action in the third round of Wimbledon this evening, taking the main stage on Centre Court against Lorenzo Sonego. Nadal has looked shaky through his opening two rounds, much like a player who isn’t 100 per cent fit.
The Spaniard admitted after his win over Ricardas Berankis that he was contemplating retirement just a few weeks ago.
“My philosophy is couple of weeks ago I was close to it [retirement],” Nadal said. “Now I don’t feel that way (smiling). That’s my philosophy, no?
“It’s something that I am not — I never had fear about that day. I think I am happy that I had a very happy life outside of tennis, even if tennis is a very important part of my life for the last 30 years.”
Nadal is still on course for the Calendar Slam this year after winning both the Australian Open and French Open.
His side of the draw has also opened up after Matteo Berrettini was forced to withdraw with Covid earlier in the week, but Sonego could prove a tricky test with the Italian impressing throughout the grass-court season.
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