Nadal wants to learn from Wimbledon experience

“I’m going to go to Wimbledon to enjoy myself and do my best, but I know that it’s a very tough tournament and it isn’t the best surface for me. My intention is to go there and learn so that one day I’ll be able to do something big there.”

Nadal, who put together a 24-match winning streak on clay with his triumph at Roland Garros last weekend, lost his first outing on grass when he fell to Alexander Waske in the opening round of the Halle Open in Germany on Wednesday.

But the powerfully built Mallorcan said the defeat could be a blessing in disguise. “I don’t think the defeat will affect my Wimbledon preparations,” he said. “I had been playing a lot of pressure games and suffered a drop in tension after the victory in Paris.

“I then only had one day to adapt to the new surface and although I did all I could it wasn’t to be. I would have liked to have played another match, but having a few days rest will be good for me too.”

“I’m not going to play another tournament before Wimbledon. I need to rest mentally, but I’ll go there four days before to make sure I’m prepared.”

Looking relaxed and refreshed as he mingled with journalists and gave interviews to local media beside the rooftop pool of a luxury Madrid hotel, Nadal insisted that there was no danger of him losing focus after winning his first Grand Slam.

“I’m the same person I was six months ago when I hadn’t won anything,” he said. “Yes, it’s been a good year for me, but I’m conscious that only with humility and hard work can I keep winning matches. (Reuters)