Crazy rollercoaster year
Rafael Nadal was about to retire
The year 2022 has been a roller coaster ride for Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard won two Grand Slam titles at the same time, but at the same time he had to deal with many injuries. A foot injury bothers Nadal the most – and almost forces him to resign.
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Rafael Nadal could hardly have started the year better. He wins the Australian Open.
The beginning of the year was already up and down for Rafael Nadal, as he reveals to the Spanish newspaper “Marca”. First he gets infected with the corona virus, the Australian Open is on the brink. But because he recovered quickly from the infection, he took part in the tournament Down Under – and won sensationally. He continues on his winning streak, wins game after game, reaches the final in Indian Wells, loses it plagued by injury.
Nadal: «In the closing stages of the semifinals I broke my rib and on the same day I couldn’t even breathe in the dressing room. The doctors told me it was muscle cramps, so I decided to play the final.”
Roland Garros victory despite foot problems
After that, Nadal continues to go downhill. He has to sit out because of the broken rib. During the break, the condition of his foot also deteriorated. The doctors numb the nerves, Nadal wins the French Open despite a damaged foot. «I was very happy after winning Roland Garros. At the same time, I thought I had to retire from professional tennis because I couldn’t continue with this chronic pain.”
While the special treatment method works on the foot, Nadal tears his abdominal muscle shortly before the US Open. “The year since the broken rib has been a disaster. But I didn’t tell anyone about the abdominal muscle tear because I was tired of talking about my worries.” Nadal plays, flies out in New York in the round of 16.
Spaniard filmed on crutches: This treatment should save Nadal’s career(00:44)
Foot injuries also keep him busy in his private life
The injury problems of the 22-time Grand Slam winner also concern him mentally, as he reveals: “Most days I was sad, I had lost the joy of playing tennis. That’s why I thought I had to retire.”
Although the treatment of the chronic foot injury has now worked well, Nadal’s foot has not healed. Nevertheless, he only wants to undergo treatment again as soon as the pain returns: “Since the injury is incurable, if the nerve hurts again, I have to get more injections of this type. My personal life has totally changed, not just my tennis career.” (hon)
A thousand and one tears: It gets under your skin – Nadal cries with Federer(01:10)