"Lower ranked players think they have a chance" - Wilander on Nadal on grass

Mats Wilander says that lower-ranked players see grass as an opportunity to get a result against “greatest of all time” Rafael Nadal, but he has also paid tribute to the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s longevity.

Nadal secured his place in round three of Wimbledon following a 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over Ricardas Berankis - meaning the No. 2 seed remains on course for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam singles title. he win was Nadal’s 307th win at a Grand Slam tournament; that puts him fourth on the all-time list behind Roger Federer (369), Serena Williams (365) and Novak Djokovic (329).

Speaking about Nadal, Wilander said:

“It just speaks to the consistency of even Rafa Nadal. There have been years when he hasn't been able to play Wimbledon but he keeps coming back. The consistency of Roger and Rafa and Novak and Grand Slam tournaments is just unbelievable."

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He further added:

“He's 36 years old; he has that tape on his abdominal muscle; he has the foot issue. I think it's good... to take a break [for the rain delay, but] to be able to come out and play this well and to win matches on probably his worst surface in many ways, even though he has won more Wimbledons than Australian Opens. Grass courts are a great equaliser for a lot of the lower-ranked players. I think they believe that they might have a small chance to beat even the greatest of all time.”

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