Rafael Nadal’s projected path to Wimbledon 2022 final

Rafael Nadal shall continue his quest to become just the second man in the post-world war era, after Rod Laver, to complete the Calendar Grand Slam when he commences his Wimbledon campaign on 27th June this week, in what will be his first appearance in the prestigious grass-court tournament in 3 years. At the same time, he is also vying for a record-extending 23rd career grand slam, and the tennis gods have conspired to hand him a tricky route to glory in his attempts to make history on these twin fronts.

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Nadal has already pocketed the Australian Open as well as the French Open this season, but if he wants to claim the Wimbledon trophy as well, he’s very much going to have to do it the hard way. While he avoids six-time Wimbledon champion, Novak Djokovic, up until the end, he is instead going to have to likely overcome tricky opponents like last season’s runner-up Matteo Berrettini, as well as another former finalist Marin Cilic, who went agonisingly close in 2017. 

Let’s take a look at his prospective opponents right from Round 1 up until the final that might throw up a mouthwatering tie with Novak Djokovic, that is if everything goes to plan for the two monumental veterans:

Round 1: Fransisco Cerundolo (ARG)

Round 2: Sam Querry (USA) / Ricardas Berankis (LIT)

Round 3: Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)

Round 4: Marin Cilic (CRO) / Botic van de Zandschulp (NED)

Quarters: Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) / Taylor Fritz (USA)

Semis: Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) / Matteo Berrettini (ITA)

Final : Novak Djokovic (SER) 

Also read: Novak Djokovic’s projected path to Wimbledon 2022 final

Nadal’s first real test will come as early as in round 2, where he might face Sam Querry. Querry has caused massive upsets at Wimbledon in the past before- having defeated Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in 2016 and 2017 respectively and the former Wimbledon semi-finalist is not going to go down without a fight. 

Nadal will also then be primed to face a tricky tie against Marin Cilic, who has been in impressive form this year making it to the last-four at the French Open this year and enjoying a strong warm-up leading up to Wimbledon, where he also made it to the semis at Queen’s Club. Cilic is a former Wimbledon finalist and has beaten Nadal before, though this will be their first meeting on grass. 

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The games of course don’t get any easier the deeper one progresses in these tournaments, and Nadal might have to break bread again with Felix Auger-Aliassime who gave him a tough time at the French Open fourth round last month, going down after contesting a gripping five-setter on Nadal’s favourite turf. The Canadian might be somewhat confident of a different result this time, should he now be facing the veteran workhorse on grass instead of clay. 

The semis of course bring one of the top rising stars, Berrettini into the picture, who powered his way to the final last year and will be looking to go one better this time around, and this tie promises to be a slugfest if it does materialise.  

And Nadal will need to leave enough fuel in the tank for perhaps yet another monumental meeting at a grand slam final with arch-nemesis Novak Djokovic. Fans of the 2 global superstars will be hoping that the stars align to serve up yet another treat, perhaps one final hurrah!