Davis Cup captain Jim Courier said he believes Rafael Nadal’s knee could be a concern heading into the U.S. Open after his stunning first-round flop and picked Brit Andy Murray to win his first Wimbledon.
Courier and Monica Seles appeared at Madison Square Park yesterday where the HSBC is staging a Wimbledon event until tomorrow in which a nearly full sized grass court is laid down for fans to play against pros. A jumbotron screen is also showing the Wimbledon matches live and fans can sit on a smaller version of Henman Hill.
Nadal’s first-round straight-set ouster is the story of Wimbledon, routed by 135th-ranked Steve Darcis.
“I was stunned by it,’’ said Courier, who left for London last night to do the matches for the Tennis Channel. “It wasn’t just he didn’t look like he played well. It was the way he moved at the end of the third set and also the look in his eyes – one of surrender. He knew the circumstanced were conspiring against him physically. To see him not to give mentally, I don’t know I can remember seeing that. He can be down 5-0 and plays like his life is depends upon it. Obviously his knee is bothering him more than he’s letting on. He’s hiding his cards. There’s more going on.’’
With Nadal history, Courier has Murray winning his first Wimbledon title after capturing his first Grand Slam event last September at Flushing Meadows – the first time a Brit had won a major since 1936.
“You might want to favor (Novak) Djokovic but I feel like it’s Murray’s time,’’ Courier said. “He’s now won the US Open, won at the All-England club at Olympic gold . While I’m sure there’s still great pressure to win Wimbledon for the Brits, he’s already a major champion. He’s playing a lot more freely this year. It’s his time.’’