Rafael Nadal’s historic coach made an unknown discovery about the tennis legend’s health

Tony Nadaluncle and mentor of a Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadalreported that since 2005 his nephew has not been able to participate in tournaments. Grand Slam tournament without resorting to painkillers. Spanish legend that announced his retirement professional practicesuffer chronic foot injurywhich forced him to adapt to competing in such conditions.

“He tells us about it in the family chat. At that moment, images of many years came to mind. I knew for another month that he was planning to end his career in Malaga. I already assumed this“he said this Saturday Tony Nadal in an interview at the Marca Sport Weekend 2024, which takes place in Malaga, according to a report by Europa Press.

Toni Nadal explained it Rafa He’s gotten used to playing with pain since he was diagnosed. Muller-Weiss disease, congenital injury to his left foot, which accompanied him throughout his career. However, it was in 2021 that he was absent from the courts for the longest time.

Because of this condition, a period of inactivity of 5 months is reached.

“Since 2005, he was used to playing with pain because of his foot, being in pain and most of the time he was stronger– said the uncle. “Since 2005, he has not been able to compete in Grand Slam tournaments without taking painkillers. He got used to it, and when he got over it, he thought it would be the same. But this time another problem arose. There was no other choice. Rafa I had hopes of having a good last season and then retiring.but this could not be… At least perform at a good level and win something,” he added. “Health is walking or short trips to the gym, not elite sport. At the speed with which it is played today, it’s even worse. There are limits,” he noted.

He also criticized current tennis: “For years I have said that the rules of tennis need to be changed. It’s a bit of an idiotic sport. Tennis starts with a penalty kick“, he hinted at today’s pitch. “This is the only sport that in its entire history has not wanted to make any changes; the only one, a tiebreaker so it doesn’t last too long. Leaders need to be bold and make some changes.”

About the era of the “Big Three”, Tony Nadal expressed doubts about the possibility of repeating such an era. He compared the achievements Connors, McEnroe And Borgwho won 26 Grand Slam tournamentswith those of Djokovic, Nadal And Federerwho added 66 main titles. Although he recognized the talent of such young people as Carlos Alcaraz And Jannik Sinnerhe doesn’t see a player who can challenge his dominance.

Since the beginning of my career Rafaone of the goals was to achieve Roger Federer. Tony Nadal He recalled how, from the very beginning, their goal was to get closer to the Swiss, especially on fast surfaces where they knew they could not compete on equal terms, but always with the intention of improving and winning.

Finally, Tony Nadal shared an anecdote about the discovery Novak Djokovic. “In 2005, during Wimbledon, he watched a young player fight Juan Monaco and after just ten minutes he realized that this represented a new challenge for Rafa.”

At 37 years old, Nadal marked an era in sports with 22 Grand Slam titles. However, his career was marked not only by victories, but also constant struggle with recurring physical problems. For 22 seasons of manakori received 24 woundsMany of them compiled chronicles that tested their perseverance and resilience.

“Because the scaphoid bone is split in half, the injury is difficult to forget. This is a truth like a temple, and it will not be forgotten for the rest of my life. “I have a problem that has no solution,” he admitted. Rafa NadalWHO He returned to the topic in 2022, when physical complications were already becoming more noticeable..

Words Tony Nadalhis uncle and coach for much of his career, reflected the extent of his problems: “Without so many injuries, Rafael would have been the best tennis player in history.”. Toni was with him until 2017, when he decided to focus on the academy that Nadal founded in Manacor. The coach witnessed the physical and emotional challenges faced by the Spanish champion.