By: Alex Chu
On Wednesday, June 29th Rafael Nadal beat Swiss Wawrinka 6-2 6-3 in an exhibition match in Hurlingham. This win crowned Nadal the 2022 Wimbledon Champion. The 36-year-old Nadal was not expected to even participate in this tournament due to his chronic foot injury.
Stan Wawrinka says Rafael Nadal "looks like normal Rafa" after the Spaniard won his first grass-court match in three years as part of his Wimbledon preparations. Nadal has not played at Wimbledon since 2019, having missed last year's tournament to give his body time to rest following the French Open. The 2020 event was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nadal has not played at Wimbledon since 2019 having missed last year's tournament to give his body time to rest following the French Open. The 2020 event was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nadal's last competitive match on grass was his 2019 Wimbledon semi-final against Roger Federer. Federer, Nadal’s long-time rival, won in four sets. He started the year in stunning fashion, winning the Australian Open to secure a men's record 21st Grand Slam title, before claiming a 14th French Open trophy last month. "I don't know how he is feeling, it looks like normal Rafa," Wawrinka, who has been given a singles wildcard for Wimbledon, said.
"He has been saying he is feeling better and if he is playing, he is ready to play his best and to win."- Wawrinka