Rafael Nadal is expecting the unexpected after setting up a second round tie against Germany’s Dustin Brown at Wimbledon.
Two-time champion Nadal, seeded 10th this year after injury, beat Thomasz Bellucci 6-4 6-2 6-4 on Number One Court earlier today to set up the tie with qualifier Brown.
Brown, who beat Yen-Hsun Lu 3-6 6-3 7-5 6-4 to reach the second round for only the second time in five attempts, defeated Nadal on grass at Halle last year and the Spaniard is wary of the threat he poses.
“It is difficult to think about how the match going to be,” said Nadal.
“He’s not a usual player. Anything can happen.
“He beat me last year at Halle, but it is a little bit different here, the surface and everything.
“It’s a dangerous match, he’s a tough player and he won today against a good opponent.
“He will come with good confidence and I am going to try to be ready for it.”
With temperatures closing in on record levels, much has been made of the effect the heat will have on the players, but Nadal embraces the heat.
“It is always that when the sunshine is there, the courts are a little bit more dry, it is easier to move,” he said.
“Let’s say it is less dangerous and slippery and all these kind of things that can make the players fall.
“For the injuries, it is much better to play with these conditions than when the weather is cloudy and there is more humidity out there.
“For me the conditions were great. It’s difficult to think about a better day to play tennis here in Wimbledon.”
Feature image courtesy of Wimbledon, via Youtube, with thanks
