Australia brought a new injury to the Spaniard, who has already suffered four physical complications in the last 12 months. The accident left him mentally broken and a possible goodbye appears, again, in the arena.
The Australian Open second round match between Rafael Nadal and Mackenzie McDonald had its tensest moment at 4-3 in the second set. It wasn’t because of a dramatic point or because of a comeback like the one Andy Murray would pull off against Thanasi Kokkinakis 24 hours later, but because at that precise moment the Spaniard’s body s is broken again. It was the fourth time in the last twelve months.
Discomfort in his left hip, in training, left him out of competition. The defending Oceanic Grand Slam champion did not retire from the match, but he lost his chances with this puncture.
The Spaniard left the field with a sad face and his wife even cried . For Nadal at the moment, this injury is much more than an illness. It’s another blow to his confidence and drive, two things he himself admits he hasn’t had in a long time. That’s why the press conference was dark.
“I’m tired and frustrated being on the mend from injuries for much of my career. But I always accepted it. I can’t say I’m not mentally broken ’cause I would lie “, was the first thought.”I can come here and say that life is good and you have to stay positive, but I’m not going to do it now. It’s a tough day and time and I accept it because we have to keep going. At the sports level, the glass fills up and there may be a time when it overflows “, the second.
Both comments reveal the complex moment of a tennis player who is again attacked by injuries. Lately, physical problems have stopped him. Last year, for example, he managed to win three consecutive tournaments at the start of the season (Melbourne, Australia and Acapulco), but in Indian Wells suffered a broken rib at the end. Then Madrid would play without a problem, but the following week, in Rome I was limping off the pitch due to a chronic left foot injury. This forced him to anesthetize the surface to play, and win, Roland Garros.
After Paris he returned to the courts of Wimbledon, but tHe had to withdraw from the tournament in the semi-finals due to an abdominal injury . It is because of this painful dynamic experienced in 2022 that this injury in Australia hits so hard. However, injuries are nothing new for the Spaniard. In fact, they’ve been a trend almost as constant as his wins and championships. Almost every year that Nadal has made tennis history, a part of his body has paid the price.
Muller-Weiss syndrome
Much of the manacorí’s physical problems are due to dysplasia of the tarsal scaphoid of his left foot. Medically known as Müller-Weiss syndrome, it is a malformation that is generated in the first years of life, but which manifests itself when the person begins their adult life. This is exactly what happened to the greatest Grand Slam winner in history, since he first experienced this problem in 2005. It is about an incurable condition that he could only contain with special insoles , which took the pain away, but ultimately caused the rest of his body to suffer. The injuries to his ankles, knees and hips he has suffered over the years have largely been caused by these pieces altering their natural fulcrums.
Of course, this sacrifice to be able to continue playing did not even completely solve the foot problem, because throughout his career he relapsed again.
For example, in 2021 and 2022, the left foot was once again a recurring concern. Two years ago, he decided to end his season in Washington, after enduring pain along the way. Last year, he had to fall asleep in his foot during all the Roland Garros matches, in order to be able to play. After his 14th title in Paris, he opted for pulsed radiofrequency intervention in the various nerves concerned in the area of injury. The solution, at least, managed to give it new airs. “Everything changed when we found an effective foot treatment, which helped me a lot. It radically changed the perspective of my continuity in top-level tennis. Rafa replied, weeks before heading to South America to play a series of exhibitions.
On the tour of the continent, he has already had to approach retirement on many occasions. At 36 years old and with this history of injuries, many are constantly asking him about a possible farewell to professional tennis, but he has always kept that option off the table. He also did it days before his defeat in Australia, when Alexander Zverev bet that Nadal would end his career at Roland Garros 2023.”I have a good relationship with Zverev but not enough to admit something like that to him. I’m here to play tennis, have a great 2023 and try to keep fighting for everything I’ve fought for throughout my sporting career. I don’t think about my retirement “Commented the Spaniard before his debut. Of course, he didn’t even suspect that the injury cycle would start again three days later.
Nadal only confirms that he will be out of action for two months. Another break. Another injury. The same tonic of the last few months, which destroyed him mentally. Federer has already said goodbye. Nadal refuses to reproduce it. The end of an era in contemporary tennis is approaching.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
