Serena Williams and Rafa Nadal caught in special Wimbledon moment

Tennis royalty Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams have shared a special moment ahead of their first round Wimbledon matches with the pair seen chatting at the All England Club.

Williams only just returned to tennis competition after nearly a year having announced she would take a wildcard at Wimbledon.

SAD: John Millman's sad announcement after loss at Wimbledon

CLASSY: Djokovic's admission about Federer and Nadal at Wimbledon

'WHAT'S GOING ON': Novak Djokovic match rocked by scary scenes

Nadal is also making a return to Wimbledon having not played the grass court grand slam for a number of years due to injury and his schedule.

The Spaniard is coming off a remarkable 2022 having won both the Australian Open and French Open in the lead-up to Wimbledon.

Williams showed her joy at Nadal's French Open win on social media after his record men's title and during a Wimbledon press conference she praised Nadal for his journey so far in 2022.

And reporter Yasmin Syed captured a special interaction between the pair in a cross-over at practice.

Nadal and Williams met on the stairs, before Nadal asked how the 23-time grand slam champion had been during her time off.

Williams also took time to congratulate Nadal in person for his 2022 season.

The tennis world was quick to react after seeing two players, with 45 singles competition grand slams between them, share a special moment at Wimbledon.

Williams is expected to play French star Harmony Tan in the first round of singles, before teaming up with Ons Jabuer in the doubles.

Nadal will face Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo in the first round.

Serena Williams kinds words for Nadal at Wimbledon

Last week, Williams expressed her joy in seeing Nadal play so well in 2022 having come back from a significant injury at the end of 2021.

She also reminded the tennis world she has always been a fan of Nadal having named her dog after the Spaniard.

"He's done a lot in 2022. He's been busy," Williams said.

"I've always been a Rafa fan... so obviously I'm always rooting for Rafa. He's been really inspiring in everything that he's done this year.

"And he has a lot more to do."

Williams also made it clear she hadn't just returned to Wimbledon for sentimental reasons.

The 23-time grand slam champio said she plans on equalling the major record at Wimbledon and was taken aback when asked on Saturday what would be a successful campaign.

"C'mon now," Williams said.

"You guys know the answer to that, so... I'm not going to answer that."

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.