Nadal truly announced himself by winning his first Grand Slam at the French Open that year, beating Roger Federer on the way to the title.

Following that triumph the Spaniard turned his attention to Wimbledon, a tournament he was trying to win for the first time.

Which players did Rafael Nadal say was better than him on grass in 2005?

Rafael Nadal proved very early in his career that he was going to be an excellent clay court player.

The former World number one won his first five French Open events and dominated the Masters events in Monte Carlo, Rome and Barcelona.

It would take several more years before finding success on grass, a surface many thought he would always struggle to adapt to.

But in 2005, Nadal named four players he felt were adept on grass courts and explained why he felt he was not able to win Wimbledon at that point in his career.

“I think here, there are a lot of better players, no? I think Federer is better here. Hewitt is better. Roddick is better. Henman is better,” Nadal said at the time.

“But not only these four. Every match is difficult here because if you find any player when he serves very good, it is complicated, no? I think I am playing good on grass, but I know every match is different. I am playing good. But after tomorrow, I don’t know.”

Though Nadal only reached the second round at Wimbledon in 2005, that was the most successful season of his career in terms of titles won.

He claimed 11 championships during that season, won 79 of his 89 matches and climbed from the World number 49 to the second in the world behind Federer.

What is Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon record?

Rafael Nadal won 58 of his 70 career singles matches at the Wimbledon Championships.

After failing to go beyond the third round through his first two appearances, he made some changes to his game to adapt to the slicker and low bouncing surface.

He adapted his baseline play with even quicker footwork, more controlled forehand grass and improved ability at the net, which is essential on this surface.

Nadal’s improved level on grass began to show in 2006 and 2007, when he reached back-to-back Wimbledon finals, losing to Federer.

But in 2008, Nadal finally reached the pinnacle of tennis by defeating Federer in a thrilling final to become the champion at the All-England Club for the first time.

After missing the 2009 event due to injury, the former World number one regained the title in 2010, but was unable to defend it in 2011, losing to Novak Djokovic.

Nadal did not reach the semi-finals again until 2018 and 2019, and missed the 2021 event before making the last four in 2022, but was forced to pull out of the tournament due to injury.

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