CALVIÀ, Majorca — It is the time for a familiar summer switch for Rafael Nadal. Each June, he trades clay-court coronations for grass-court consternation.
Two weeks ago, Nadal won his 10th French Open title, further cementing his standing as the best clay court player in the history of men’s tennis. Now he must move to less certain footing as the tour shifts to grass, where early career triumphs have given way to challenges.
After a week of rest, Nadal commuted from the east side of his home island to the west, to the site of the Mallorca Open, a women’s grass-court event, where he practiced in the mornings before the heat and the tournament took over.