Rafael Nadal struggles on grass because of age, says former Major winner

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

The 1977 French Open mixed doubles winner and current Tennis Channel analyst Mary Carrillo believes Rafael Nadal will have to be very careful in the early rounds at Wimbledon, when grass is fast and the game condition do not suit to his game very well. 'If he navigates through Week 1, he can win it.

It's ridiculous to say the No. 1 player in the world needs a friendly draw, but that's the situation', Carillo said in an interview with ESPN. Why does Nadal struggle on grass, not reaching quarter-finals since 2011? 'Maybe all this is a function of age', Carillo explained.

'This is a guy who gradually wanted more and more control of everything around him -- the way he arranges his bottles, his hair, his routines. But a lot of his opponents at Wimbledon take control of the tennis away from him.' ALSO READ: Roger Federer admits he could skip a tournament - Full details