Rafael Nadal
Top seed Rafael Nadal
Also In The News
Thursday, 18, Jun 2009 12:10
Date of birth: 03/06/1986 (Age: 23).
Nationality: Spanish
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 188lbs
Plays: Left-handed
Turned professional: 2001
Current ATP singles ranking: 1
Best Wimbledon performance: Winner - 2008
Grass court pedigree
A year ago, you would have written that Nadal was unbeatable on clay but is somewhat susceptible on grass.
The last 12 months have changed all that though - victory over the previously invincible Roger Federer in the epic 2008 final, one of the all-time great tennis matches, gives him renewed belief on his less favoured surface.
However, he also suffered his first ever defeat at the French Open to Sweden's Robin Soderling, taking away his invicible crown on the 'terre battu'.
As well as being defending champion, Nadal scooped the Queen's Club title in 2008 - proving that his grass court form at Wimbledon was no fluke and he has adapted his game superbly to fit the specific rigours of the All England Club.
Wimbledon seeding: 1st
Chances of SW19 success?
A fully-fit Rafael Nadal would most probably be the bookies' favourite to successfully defend his Wimbledon title in 2009, but he will be no higher than second on their lists this year.
A rejuvenated Roger Federer aside, who will no doubt return to SW19 with all guns blazing thanks to the pain of last year's defeat in the final, Nadal is struggling with tendonitis in his knees.
A hectic ATP Tour schedule has finally taken its toll on the 23-year-old, and he now has to battle his own body as well as the man on the other side of the net to win the grass grand slam - not the ideal way to enter a gruelling two-week tournament.
Prediction: Semi-finals
Nadal was at the very peak of his powers when he romped to a famous victory over Federer on Centre Court last year.
This year, though, there are question marks over the Spaniard and he will do well - very well - to repeat the trick in 2009.
Federer is seemingly back to his best and world number three Andy Murray, fresh from his Queen's Club win, is snapping at the heels of the top two.
Add into the mix the spacialist grass-court game of perenial nearly man Andy Roddick, and the dangerous, if unpredictable, Novak Djokovic, and there seem to be too many obstacles standing in Nadal's way this time around.
Alistair Potter