Rafael Nadal is playing some scintillating tennis at the highest level this season. He has reached the finals of every tournament he’s played this season. Moreover, the Spaniard has won all but one of his matches this year. After claiming a hattrick of titles, Nadal’s winning streak this season finally ended with defeat against Taylor Fritz in the summit clash of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

It was an overwhelming effort by the American star, overcoming all odds to win the biggest title of his career. Nevertheless, Nadal played some intriguing tennis in the tournament. It wasn’t easy-going for the Spaniard in this tournament. He had to dig deep on several occasions to overcome his opponents. Moreover, playing back-to-back matches took a toll on the former World Number 1. After his summit clash, Nadal opened up on a major issue he’s facing recently.

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Rafael Nadal admits to breathing problems

During the post-match press conference, the 35-year-old revealed that he has been suffering from breathing issues lately. Giving details about this problem, he said, “Honestly, it happened yesterday night. Just at the end of the match, last night, so I finishing that late yesterday and playing today in the morning. As you can imagine, I didn’t have a chance to do many things, and not even a chance to check what’s going on there. But that’s it, all that I can say is that it’s tough to breathe.”

Further, he added, “When I try to breathe, it’s painful and it’s very uncomfortable. But that’s it, it’s not a moment to talk about that even if it’s obvious that I wasn’t able to do the normal things today. It’s the final, I tried, I lost against a great player.”

On how he felt during the final against Fritz, Nadal said, “I had pain. Honestly, it’s tough to as I said, I had problems to breathe because I don’t know if it’s something on the rib. I am not sure yet but when I am breathing and when I am breathing it’s like a needle all the time inside here. I get dizzy little bit because it’s painful.”

What’s next for Nadal?

Nadal will skip the Miami Open as he gears up for the upcoming clay-court season. The Spaniard struggled on clay last season and his movements were hampered because of the pain in his left foot. It remains to be seen the extent of his chest pain that he first felt during his clash against Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday.

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Nonetheless, despite being sad because of his chest pain and the subsequent loss in the Indian Wells Masters final, Nadal will aim to put that disappointment behind to start clay season afresh.