Nadal helps Spain fall in love with grass

But not now.

Spain can boast nine men in the second round at the All England Club in 2008, more than any other country, and they are the in-form nation on grass.

Rafael Nadal collected his first title on the surface at Queen’s two weeks ago before compatriot David Ferrer followed the world number two’s example by winning at Hertogenbosch.

Two titles in the space of seven days for a country which hadn’t seen a men’s champion on grass for 36 years.

“I think it’s important for Spain to see that we have started playing better and better on this surface,” said Ferrer.

Fernando Verdasco almost made it three but was denied in three tight sets in the Nottingham final by Ivo Karlovic.

Four-time French Open champion Nadal has been instrumental in Spain’s resurgence on grass.

He has been the runner-up to Roger Federer at Wimbledon for the last two years and is well-placed to dethrone the world number one and become the first Spanish men’s champion since Manuel Santana in 1966.

“Spanish men have played good, but not only right now. (Juan Carlos) Ferrero made the quarter-finals here last year. Ferrer fourth round, two years ago. Verdasco the same. It’s nothing new,” insisted Nadal.

It was not always this way. Former French Open winner Albert Costa once planned his honeymoon to coincide with the tournament while fellow Roland Garros winner Sergi Bruguera played just four Wimbledons in 12 years.

“It was a different moment. I am not one to say it’s a mistake. But I’m never going to do something like this. I love to play here.”

Tommy Robredo, one of the nine men in the second round, believes changes to the way ranking points are distributed have also encouraged more of his compatriots to play.

“They changed the rules and they gave us the obligation to go to all the Grand Slams and all the Masters Series. We have no chance if we don’t want a zero, so we have to go and play,” said the 23rd seed.

“I think the mentality changed. Now we are coming a little bit more and trying a lot more, and it gives us the chance to play a little better. It’s never going to be like clay, but it can be good.”

America’s James Blake believes the playing conditions at Wimbledon have changed over the years and that has worked in the Spaniards’ favour.

“I think the balls have maybe gotten a little heavier,” said Blake.

“But they do see Rafa and they see how will he can play. He’s one of the few guys that came out and said, ‘I’m going to play my game with just minor adjustment’. He’s been very effective, and I think some other Spaniards get encouraged by that.”