London: For Roger Federer, beginning his Wimbledon campaign at the Centre Court had become routine until Rafael Nadal snatched the baton from him last year. So on Monday, when Federer was ushered in to Nadal's shoes, many were watching expectantly. And the champion didn't disappoint. He looked in perfect form, well set to bag the Wimbledon and get his 16th Grand Slam title.

However, Times online reported on Tuesday that all was not fine for his nemesis Rafael Nadal back home in Majorca. For many weeks there have been whispers that matters were complicated in the Nadal household -- that his parents, Sebastian and Ana Maria had separated. The website further went on to confirm its claims.

If the information holds true, Nadal could well have been playing under much stress in the past few months. He is crushed and any fair-minded person has to be crushed for him. Imagine what it has been like, trying to do your duty by yourself, your team and your profession and yet having to perform when your heart is elsewhere, the distressing nightly calls home, the wish that it were not so, the desire for a reconciliation.

Nadal, however, never mentioned a word about his grief, he played and hoped. He talked about resetting his body after having to withdraw from the championships with problem knees. The reality could be that he might have to rest his entire life.