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Swiss Federer took full advantage of Nadal's absence from the All England Club last year to win a sixth Wimbledon title but could find the fit-again Spaniard blocking his path to a record-equalling seventh.
When Rafael Nadal sat down to watch Spain's opening World Cup soccer match on Wednesday, he could not have anticipated a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland for his home team.
Wimbledon may give him the chance to even the score, if he can snatch the title back from Roger Federer.
Swiss Federer took full advantage of Nadal's absence from the All England Club last year to win a sixth Wimbledon title but could find the fit-again Spaniard blocking his path to a record-equalling seventh.
Nadal, who could have followed his uncle Miguel Angel Nadal into professional football if he had not turned to tennis, practiced at a blustery Wimbledon on Saturday and looked refreshed after an energy-sapping clay court season.
"I saw (Federer) just a second ago here. I congratulated him for the football," Nadal told reporters. "We probably didn't play our best but we never should have lost that match. It was very bad luck, I think."
It was not the best omen for the 24-year-old Mallorcan but he is just glad to be back at the scene of arguably his greatest career moment -- the intense, five-set cliffhanger of a final in 2008 when he brought Federer to his knees.
"That title was probably one of the more emotional moments in my career because I worked hard all my life to improve my tennis on the other surfaces than clay," he said.
"(Wimbledon) has very nice memories and it's always a pleasure to be here in this very beautiful club," added Nadal, who lost to Federer in the 2006 and 2007 finals.
Nadal erased any lingering doubts about his knees with a superb, 22-match winning streak on clay, culminating in a fifth French Open title this month.
After winning two matches on grass at Queen's Club, Nadal lost to compatriot Feliciano Lopez which at least gave him a chance for a few days' sleep in his own bed back in Mallorca before he returned to London on Wednesday to prepare for Wimbledon.
Nadal said only time would tell whether his claycourt workload would take its toll but at least he will start Wimbledon firing on all cylinders.
"If you are fresh like ice but you are playing bad you're going to lose. If you are playing very well but you are too tired, probably you are going to have the chances to win a few rounds, but finally you are going to lose," he said.
"That's what happened for me in the US Open in 2008. But I am not very tired; I don't know if I am fresh or not.
"After winning three tournaments, very important tournaments for me, and Roland Garros, you lose a little bit of attention for the moments but I hope to be ready to play well on Tuesday."
Nadal faces Japanese 20-year-old Kei Nishikori in the first round.
"He has amazing potential; I think he has enough potential to be in the top 10," Nadal said.
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