With the physical style of play Rafael Nadal has had, injuries have been a part and parcel of his career. Despite dominating men’s tennis over the last two decades, the Spaniard has had numerous injury setbacks. Recently too, the 22-time Grand Slam champion was sidelined due to a muscle tear, only to make a comeback at the ongoing Barcelona Open. However, seeing his injury struggles, former Australian tennis player, Casey Dellacqua, remained worried.

39-year-old Dellacqua has been a huge fan of Nadal and watched his game closely during her playing days. She pointed out one peculiar reason behind the many injury setbacks Nadal has had in his career.

Casey Dellacqua gets ‘real’ about the injury setbacks of Rafael Nadal

Recently, the Australian tennis legend appeared in The AO Show podcast. During the conversation there, Dellacqua delved into the injury setbacks Nadal has had in his career and how it will affect him as he nears his retirement. She said, “We could all probably agree that it’s the body that unfortunately halted that used to didn’t for so many athletes.”

Further, Dellacqua went on to add, “When you play and put your body through so much as Rafael Nadal is, let’s be real, his game is physical. He’s had so much success on clay but his body would have been through so much. He’s had injuries as well.”

While Nadal has returned to the court after a lengthy injury layoff, his comeback hasn’t gone according to his plans. In the ongoing Barcelona Open, he lost against Alex de Minaur in straight sets. This further has created doubt in the mind of Dellacqua about Nadal’s chances at the French Open. Despite this, the Spaniard is ready to give his all in what could be his final appearance at the French Open.

Nadal ‘ready to die’ for success at the French Open

Following his heartbreaking loss against de Minaur on his comeback, Nadal was quizzed about whether he would be able to achieve success at Roland Garros. Being the tournament’s most successful player in history, Nadal proved why he is known as the ‘King of Clay’ with his response. He said, “I will try to take one more step in Madrid, then in Rome, and if, in any tournament, it is worth going out to give everything and die, it is in Paris.”

With this, Nadal reassured his fans that he’ll do everything to have one last laugh before he calls time on his illustrious career. Meanwhile, he will have his fans’ back as he sets on the path to attain glory yet again. Although 2024 is likely the last time the tennis community enjoys the Spaniard’s on court domination, Rafael Nadal will make the most of it.