Rafael Nadal will start preparing for Wimbledon next week with practice sessions on the grass courts used for the Mallorca Open, a WTA event in Spain, tournament organisers have confirmed.
After extending his record haul of French Open titles to 11 by winning Roland Garros last Sunday, Nadal withdrew from the Queen’s Club Championships, a key Wimbledon tune-up to be played in London from June 18-24.
In announcing that decision on Wednesday, he said his doctors had advised him to rest.
The Mallorca Open courts will be played that same week in the small town of Santa Ponsa, located about an hour by car from Nadal’s home town of Manacor.
Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion, is then expected to travel to London to continue his preparations for tennis’ grass grand slam event, which begins on July 2.
The Mallorca Open is the only WTA Tour grass-court tournament held in Spain.