Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams share heartwarming moment

Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams shared a heartwarming moment after a chance encounter at Wimbledon.

The duo ran into each other outside the practice courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Williams, who received a wildcard for this year’s Grand Slam, was warming up for her first-round match against Harmony Tan of France.

As she left the practice court, she bumped into Nadal, who was preparing for his opening encounter against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

As the pair crossed paths they embraced, with Nadal asking Williams how she was.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner replied: ““Hey, how are you? Congratulations on everything”.

Williams stunned the world when she announced she would be returning to the tennis court this month.

The 40-year-old made her comeback at the Eastbourne International last week, playing in the doubles tournament with Ons Jabeur.

Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams stopped to say hi as Serena left her practice court and Rafa went to his.He asked how she’s doing and she said congrats for everything. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/znIuldJuzz

It was the first time she had appeared on the WTA Tour for nearly 12 months, having suffered a leg injury at Wimbledon last year.

Williams will begin this year’s campaign against Tan on Centre Court this afternoon. She is seeking her eighth Wimbledon title and a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Nadal has also been plagued by injury this season. He suffers from Muller-Weiss syndrome, a rare condition which causes chronic pain in his left foot.

Despite this, the 36-year-old has been a dominant force so far this year, winning both the Australian Open and the French Open.

He is on the hunt for a third Wimbledon title, although grass is certainly not his favoured