At the beginning of the year, Rafael Nadal returns to the tour following a five-month injury break. And how! The Spaniard has 21 wins in a row – he has never started a season so well. With the triumph at the Australian Open, his 21st Grand Slam title, he also wrote tennis history.
The 35-year-old seems to be starting the autumn of his career with his old strength. But now it looks very different. At the Masters in Rome, a physically ailing Nadal was defeated by Canadian Denis Shapovalov (23) in three sets in the round of 16. His left foot, which keeps giving him problems because of a chronic injury, hurts. Nadal’s gait is anything but round, he hobbles, has trouble on serve and keeps grimacing in pain. A sight that hurts. And worrying.
“Difficult to accept this situation”
“I’m not injured, I’m a tennis player who lives with an injury,” Nadal explained following the game. “I work hard, but there are moments when it’s difficult to accept this situation. It’s frustrating that I can’t train with continuity for days.”
Under these circumstances, how does he still manage to be on the tour as a professional? “I take a lot of anti-inflammatory drugs every day to be able to train,” he reveals. And admits: “The pain takes away my joy and there will come a time when my head will say: enough is enough.”
Living with the pain is difficult, says Nadal. And hopes “that my foot will allow me to continue to compete”. He also says that with regard to the next season highlight. The French Open (from May 22nd) is just around the corner. The Spaniard is the undisputed king of Paris with 13 titles. “I don’t know what to do now, whether to rest or train,” says Nadal. And adds: “Reaching Roland Garros is still my goal.”
It is now important that he becomes pain-free. Therefore he will discuss with his doctor how to proceed. But Nadal hopes he can go to Paris. (bir)
