• ATP Tour

Exhausted Nadal returns home for rest

ESPN staff
June 16, 2012
Rafael Nadal admits he has not fully adjusted to the grass © Getty Images
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Rafael Nadal admits he needs more time to adjust to the grass but is confident he will be ready for Wimbledon after crashing out of the Gerry Weber Open.

Just 72 hours after winning a seventh French Open title, Nadal kicking off his grass court campaign at Halle. The Spaniard managed to get just two matches under his belt as he fell in the quarter-finals to home favourite Philipp Kohlschreiber, and he admitted he is still finding his feet on the surface.

But rather than head straight to London to put the final touches on his Wimbledon preparations, Nadal will return home to take a few days' break after a hectic period which saw him win titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and at Roland Garros.

But although Nadal admitted he was feeling the strain, he defended the decision to play in Germany rather than take the option to rest following his Roland Garros win on Monday.

"I have played the week after the French Open for eight years with the exception of 2009 when I was injured," Nadal said. "It has always worked out fantastically for me. Even if I lost, the two matches and the practice I have had here have helped me a lot. I hope to be back again next year.

"On the grass courts, if you are not full of confidence, then all matches are a lottery, particularly over three sets. This is not the time to look for excuses or to ask the reasons why I lost. My movement wasn't great and I need a little more time to make adjustments to my shots.

"I will rest at home. I can't practise on grass there but it's better not to practise for a few days. It's time to rest with my family, friends, to relax. I've played almost every match possible since Indian Wells. When I'm ready to come back, I'll go to Wimbledon."

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