Nadal Says There is Not Enough Time to Switch From Clay to Grass

Written by: Staff on 14th June 2012

Nadal Says There is Not Enough Time to Switch From Clay to Grass

epa03228498 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Serbian Novak Djokovic during their final match at the Italian Open Tennis Tournament (ATP World Tour), in the Central Stadium, at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 21 May 2012. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

Rafael Nadal is facing the toughest period of his tennis years as the king of clay makes the immediate switch to grass as Wimbledon approaches. Nadal, playing in Halle, Germany, in a field which also includes five-time winner Roger Federer, admitted his annual challenge always seems huge.

“I have to make the same adjustments each year,” he said just days after lifting a record seventh French Open title. “You try to adapt to the speed of the court, try to remember a little bit how to hit the ball on a grass court. The movement for sure is totally different on grass than clay. That makes it difficult.”

Nadal said he will be ready to step onto the grass with Wimbledon less than a fortnight away. “The only thing that I can say is that I will try my best as I do in every tournament that I play during all year.

“Probably for me this is the most difficult tournament of the year, since I don’t have time to adapt. I don’t have time to spend three hours on the court because my physical condition doesn’t accept it now.

“This is the most drastic change in the season and success in this tournament very difficult.”

Topics: clay court tennis, grass court tennis, Rafa, Rafael Nadal, Spanish tennis news, Wimbledon tennis news