Rafael Nadal hopes that treatment on a chronic foot problem will allow him to compete at Wimbledon in jus over a week's time.
The Spaniard, 36, needed crutches to after winning his 14th French Open title almost two weeks ago and cast doubt in his post-match comments as to whether he would continue if the problem persisted.
But Nadal has been encouraged by the reaction of his foot to nerve treatment and intends to fly to London for a week of practice, including a match at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham, before making a final decision.
“My intention is to play Wimbledon. The treatment and the week of training give me hope, and I wouldn’t go if I had no intention of playing," Nadal told reporters at a press conference in Majorca. "I will travel, play an exhibition at Hurlingham and do a week of training to see if it’s possible.
“Changes are immediately noticeable. Somehow the joint pain that did not allow me to support myself has decreased. I’m happy. I haven’t been limping for a week.”
Nadal, who confirmed he is to become a father for the first time, has not played at Wimbledon since 2019 having missed last year’s tournament after his foot problem flared up.
The most recent of his two titles came back in 2010 and the 22-time major champion has a chance of claiming the calendar Grand Slam having won the Australian and French Opens in the same year for the first time.
Nadal said: “I haven’t played Wimbledon for three years and I’m excited. I don’t know what can happen in five days, I’m cautious, but what has happened so far gives me hope that I can be present.
“Playing Roland Garros well helps my confidence level, but grass is a different surface. I haven’t played on grass for three years and it will be difficult. The first rounds will be crucial. If you pass them, the opponents, they are more difficult, but you play with more security.”
Nadal's 22 Grand Slams
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RAFAEL NADAL'S 21 GRAND SLAM TITLES: 1) Rafael Nadal wins his first Grand Slam at the 2005 French Open. Getty Images -
2) Rafael Nadal wins the 2006 French Open. Getty Images -
3) Rafael Nadal makes it three in a row at the 2007 French Open. Getty Images -
4) Rafael Nadal secures a fourth straight Roland Garros title at the 2008 French Open. Getty Images -
5) Rafael Nadal win his first major away from the French Open at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships. Getty Images -
6) Rafael Nadal won major title No 6 at the 2009 Australian Open, his first Grand Slam on hard courts. Getty Images -
7) Rafael Nadal wins his fifth Roland Garros title at the 2010 French Open. Getty Images -
8) Rafael Nadal becomes a two-time Wimbledon champion at the 2010 Championships. AFP -
9) Rafael Nadal completes the career Grand Slam by winning the 2010 US Open. AFP -
10) Rafael Nadal reaches 10 Grand Slam titles with his sixth Roland Garros triumph at the 2011 French Open. AFP -
11) Rafael Nadal wins the 2012 French Open, his seventh title in Paris. Getty Images -
12) Rafael Nadal wins a fourth straight Roland Garros for the second time in his career at the 2013 French Open. AFP -
13) Rafael Nadal wins his second US Open title at the 2013 tournament. Getty Images -
14) Rafael Nadal wins a fifth successive Roland Garros title at the 2014 French Open. AFP -
15) Rafael Nadal brings up his French Open La Decima at the 2017 tournament in Paris. AP Photo -
16) Rafael Nadal wins the 2017 US Open for his 16th Grand Slam title. Reuters -
17) Rafael Nadal wins his 11th Roland Garros title at the 2018 French Open. AFP -
18) Rafael Nadal wins his 12th Roland Garros title at the 2019 French Open. AFP -
19) Rafael Nadal claims his fourth US Open title at the 2019 tournament. Reuters -
20) Rafael Nadal pulls level with Roger Federer on a record 20 major titles with his 13th trophy in Paris after winning the 2020 French Open. AFP -
21) Rafael Nadal becomes the most successful male player in history with his 21st major title, won at the 2022 Australian Open. AAP -
22) Nadal makes it a record-extending 22 majors with victory in the 2022 French Open. EPA
