Clay king Nadal issues Wimbledon warning

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June 16, 2008 10:01 IST

Just in case he had not rattled Roger Federer enough, Rafael Nadal showed on Sunday that he would continue to stalk the five-times Wimbledon champion for the next three weeks.

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Seven days after handing Federer a brutal 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 mauling in the French Open final, the four-times Roland Garros champion effortlessly adapted his claycourt skills to win his first title on grass.

Nadal's 7-6, 7-5 win over Novak Djokovic made him the first player in 35 years to pull off back-to-back victories in Paris and at the Queen's Club and also the first Spanish man to win on turf since Andres Gimeno in 1972.

After finishing runner-up to the Swiss at the All England Club in 2006 and 2007, the 22-year-old will no doubt fancy his chances of ending Federer's reign come final's day on July 6.

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Should he succeed, he would become the first man to win at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season since Sweden's Bjorn Borg in 1980.

"I now have titles on all surfaces, so I am now a more complete player than I was a week ago," grinned Nadal after picking up the 28th title of his career.

"I think I am playing well and if I continue to play like this, I am going to have chances to have a good result at Wimbledon.

Asked if he believed he could win Wimbledon, he added: "I can for sure. I've played two finals. Why can't I?

"Wimbledon is always very, very special for me. For me, having played two finals there is a dream. For sure my dream is always going to be to have a title there."

WINNING STREAK

In case Federer had not taken note of the improvements Nadal had made to his game since the pair last met on grass 49 weeks ago, the Spaniard was happy to explain.

"For grass, I've improved some things," said the world number two, who extended his winning streak to 17 matches..

"The serve is important. But I'm also playing more slices, changing the way of the point with some slices. That's important because you can play with different rhythms. So for the opponent, that's more difficult.

"I'm feeling more comfortable with the volley too. When I go to the net, I have some good volleys. I've worked very hard to improve these things."

Rafael NadalBefore turning his attention to Wimbledon, Nadal planned to go home to Mallorca until Wednesday or Thursday to recharge his batteries.

"I am a little bit (tired). I'm going (to spend) some days at home," said Nadal.

"(I'll play) golf tomorrow morning. I don't know (what I'm going to do) in the afternoon yet.

"But I think within a few days I'm going to be ready. And if not, doesn't matter, because Wimbledon is a very, very important tournament, and the motivation is hundred percent.

"Doesn't matter if I'm tired mentally. Physically I'm fine."

Despite being on the receiving end of another Nadal masterclass, Djokovic felt he had nothing to be ashamed of.

"It's been a terrific week. I've only been playing on grass for three years so it's quite an improvement for me to get to the final," said the world number three, who has now lost nine of his 12 meetings with the Spaniard.

"I've had an intense couple of months, it's been great for me, I've achieved a lot. I just hope to keep on going."

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