However, he later announced that he would not be making a defense of his title.

"I think I tried everything. I worked very hard the last weeks to arrive here in my best condition, but yes… You know, today was the last test. I didn't feel terrible, but not, not close to my best," said Nadal.

Nadal beat the defending champion and then-world number one, Roger Federer, in a marathon five-set final at last year's Wimbledon. A year after, Roger may strike back – he now needs a victory in the tournament, which he has already won five times, in order to reoccupy the top position in the men’s singles rankings. A win will also put him clear of Pete Sampras, with whom he currently shares a record fourteen Grand Slam victories.