While thinking about Rafael Nadal, what one could possibly associate him with are the clay courts. Throughout his career as a professional tennis player, these courts have always been his forte. But what about the grass courts? Well, as it seems, the Spanish legend had a horrible start to the grass court. Reflecting on the same, in an exclusive interview, former ATP star Gilles Muller, who has defeated Nadal twice on the grass courts of Wimbledon reflects on the Spaniard’s initial years on there.

Seeing his gameplay on these courts, the ATP star went ahead to make a bold prediction. However, a determined Rafael Nadal, against all odds went ahead and proved him wrong by taking a move that hardly a few would have imagined.

Former ATP star recalls how a determined Rafael Nadal turned his bold prediction wrong

In an exclusive interview, Gilles Muller revisits his matches against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. Muller talks about their encounter in 2005 where he suggested that Nadal was not comfortable on the grass court. This was one of the major reasons that contributed to Muller’s win. He further admits he did not think that Rafael Nadal could ever win a title on the grass court because he was not able to move very well.

However, Muller was stunned by Rafael Nadal’s response post-match. Nadal’s determination and work ethic shocked everyone as he expressed his desire to build a grass court in his hometown, Mallorca. This was something that Muller did not expect at all.

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“The first time I played in Wimbledon was in 2005. He just came on tour on the Roland Garros for the first time and it looked like he didn’t feel too comfortable on the grass. That day was my experience on the grass, on this kind of court that made me win this match. I remember after the press conference…I was asked if I think Nadal could ever win Wimbledon and I said no chance,” said Muller in the interview.

Because he looked like, in my opinion, that he was just not feeling that great on the court, didn’t move very well. I never thought he was able to win Wimbledon but it just shows you how big of a worker he was. Because he said in his press conference, well I think I’m going to try and build the grass court in Mallorca, in my hometown,” he further went ahead to add.

Thus, a young Rafael Nadal, determined to outshine everyone proved Muller wrong by winning the Wimbledon title later on in his career. From being a young Rafa who could barely manage his movements on the grass courts to stunning everyone by lifting the title, he had come a long way.

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After lifting his maiden Wimbledon title back in 2008, Rafael Nadal went ahead to create a new record in Spanish history. A record that had just a single name in it.

Rafael Nadal became only the second male Spanish player to win Wimbledon in 2008

In the history of Spain, only Manolo Santana won the Wimbledon title back in 1966. However, at that time the Open era did not come into the picture. Later, it was only in 2008 that Rafael Nadal went ahead and laid his hands on the prestigious title, thereby becoming only the second player in Spanish history to have laid his hands on the Wimbledon title.

On the other hand, when it comes to the Open Era, he became the first Spanish male player to have won the Wimbledon title. Thus, Rafael Nadal, who presented clay as his fortress defied all odds and went ahead to lay his hands on the Wimbledon title, not once but twice. He not only proved everyone wrong but went ahead to become a legendary figure in tennis.

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