Rafael Nadal ‘feeling good’ ahead of Wimbledon, but coach admits he is third favourite for the title

Rafael Nadal plays a shot

The treatment that Rafael Nadal has received on his foot “has worked so far” and his aim is to win Wimbledon, but his coach Francisco Roig believes he is only the third favourite for the title.

Nadal’s chronic foot problem flared up again at the Italian Open in May and there were major doubts about his participation at the French Open, but he managed to battle pain and opponents and was the last man standing at Roland Garros as he won a 14th title in Paris and a 22nd Grand Slam.

The injury clouds did not disappear after the French Open as he was also touch and go for Wimbledon, but he opted for a new treatment – radiofrequency ablation to the nerve in his foot – in an attempt to prolong his career.

Roig gave an update on the treatment during an interview with Spain’s COPE.

“Rafa has to go to Wimbledon because he feels good and the treatment so far has worked. He is going to try to win. The pressure is always there. His feelings have always been good,” he said.

Nadal is yet to lose a Grand Slam match in 2022 as he also won the Australian Open and winning at Wimbledon would keep his hopes of a Calendar Grand Slam alive.

However, Roig feels defending champion Novak Djokovic and the in-form Matteo Berrettini are ahead of him when it comes to favourites.

“With Rafa you aspire to everything. The favourites are Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini and Rafa, in this order. If we reach the second week, Rafa will [need to] be ahead of Berrettini,” he said.

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