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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory in his Men’s Singles quarterfinals match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on day ten of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory in his Men’s Singles quarterfinals match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on day ten of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is a name that needs no introduction. One of the greatest players ever, the Spaniard is famous for his resilience on the court.
Despite struggling with many injuries over the course of his career, Nadal has always fought back. In fact, the Spaniard returned to tennis after almost five months in Abu Dhabi this month. He had been recovering from a left foot injury.
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In spite of failing to defend his title at the Mubadala WTC, the Spaniard looked set for 2022. Undoubtedly, the entire world looked forward to the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s return to the tour next year.
Rafael Nadal works hard in the face of adversity
Sadly, he was treated to more bad news as he tested positive for the coronavirus this week. This certainly put a wrench in the works for Nadal’s calendar, which he admitted to himself. “As a consequence of the situation, I have to have total flexibility with my calendar,” he tweeted.
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a shot during a match against Jack Sock of the United States on Day 5 during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 4, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
However, Rafael Nadal is not known for his resilience without any merit to the claims! The 35-year-old posted a photo today on his Instagram stories that wowed fans over the world.
Despite being ill with the virus and his symptoms being ‘unpleasant’, Rafael Nadal is continuing to work out. The former World No. 1 is working out with a pair of dumbbells in the image. In fact, he is working out in his multi-million dollar house in Porto Cristo, a small town in his native Mallorca island.
“Back to physical fitness, step by step💪,” the Spaniard wrote next to the picture.
From Rafa’s IG Stories:
“Back to fitness’ work step by step… 💪”#VamosRafa pic.twitter.com/bR2Y9zAgFG
— Genny SS (@genny_ss) December 26, 2021
Many perceive Nadal as the most tenacious player on the circuit, and the story is proof. In fact, one can only imagine the amount of stress and pain he is working through to stay fit.
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After Nadal, other top ATP players have announced similar bad news
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Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Monte Carlo Masters – Monte-Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France – April 16, 2021 Russia’s Andrey Rublev with Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning his quarter-final match REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
This week is certainly a bad one for tennis, as many tennis stars have fallen ill from the virus. World No. 14 Denis Shapovalov announced yesterday that he had tested positive for it in Sydney, Australia.
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) December 25, 2021
Furthermore, World No. 5 Andrey Rublev shared today via Twitter that he, too, had contracted the illness. WTA star Belinda Bencic, too, has contracted the same illness and is in recovery. Moreover, Tunisian World No. 10 Ons Jabeur, too, is positive for the coronavirus.
It is certainly a worrisome time for the players, as so many big names being sick threatens to affect attendance numbers in upcoming tournaments. Above all, the infliction of the illness on the health of these players is tremendously concerning too.
DIVE DEEPER: ‘Very Difficult to Sustain’: Diego Schwartzman Shares Why Rafael Nadal is the Most Imposing of the Big Three
