“Don’t Remember Ever Playing Without Pain”: Rafael Nadal Reveals Struggles With His Body
Follow Us
Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal has opened up on the many injury episodes that he has had in his career and his experience of playing with pain.
In an interview to a Portuguese publication, Nadal, who is the holder of an unprecedented 13 French Open titles, said that he can’t remember a single day in his playing career when he didn’t feel some manner of niggle or pain.
“Honestly, I don’t remember ever playing without pain,” said the Spaniard, who is currently at par with Roger Federer’s career haul of 20 Grand Slam titles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Need to learn to live with it”: Rafael Nadal on playing with pain
The Spaniard added that injury management has become a part of his life now, as he feels more pain with every match and every tournament these days.
“You need to learn to live with it, as long as it doesn’t stop you from playing,” he said.
Trending
Madrid Open 2024: Dominic Thiem vs Thanasi Kokkinakis; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 23, 2024 06:14 AM EDT
‘RIP’ – Heartbroken Brother of John McEnroe Mourns ESPN Legend’s Tragic Death Who Last Tweeted About Coco Gauff
April 21, 2024 02:43 PM EDT
Madrid Open 2024: Peyton Stearns vs Tatjana Maria; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 23, 2024 09:12 AM EDT
Carlos Alcaraz Injury: Mutua Madrid Open Plans Delayed Further as the Spaniard’s Title Defense Gets Trickier
April 20, 2024 09:00 PM EDT
Tennis Diva Eugenie Bouchard Shares Yesteryear Beauty Anna Kournikova’s Iconic Fits That Inspired a Generation
April 23, 2024 03:01 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Nadal added that he has had to introduce minor changes to his training module and his game to cut down risks of injuries on the Tour.
Detailing how he has had to adapt to stay injury-free for the most part, Nadal said, “I changed routines, trained less hours than I would like, improved my serve and my positioning.”
(Quotes have been translated via Google)
The Spaniard went into the Melbourne Park this year in the hope of lifting only his second Australian Open title.
Rafael Nadal lost a chance to go past Roger Federer’s career Grand Slam haul at Australian Open
While he seemed to be on track in the opening two sets of his quarterfinal clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Spaniard suffered an inexplicable mid-match slump to eventually go down in five sets.
The defeat saw him miss out on an opportunity to go past Federer in terms of career Grand Slam titles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He had earlier pulled out of the ATP Cup, citing back spasms and raising fears on his participation at the Australian Open.
Post his quarter-final exit from Melbourne Park, Nadal withdrew from the ongoing Rotterdam Open on account of an injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH: Rafael Nadal’s Top Shots of 2020
The Spaniard clinched his 13th title at Roland-Garros, his happy hunting ground, last year and would be hoping to continue his marauding run on clay this year as well.