Nadal has a serious problem with his foot says coach

sapient007

sapient007

Semi-Pro
never knew he had a foot problem as well. this will prob effect his game more than the wrist thing

MADRID (Reuters) - World number two Rafael Nadal has a serious problem with his foot which is likely to affect the rest of his career, his uncle and coach Toni Nadal has said.

"He's been affected by an injury to his foot since 2005. He has to learn how to live with it and so far he has managed for two years," Toni Nadal said in an interview with the Spanish daily Diario de Mallorca on Wednesday.

When asked how serious it was, he responded: "I prefer not to answer. It's very serious. I don't know (if it's career-threatening). I'll let the doctor reply to that. He has to take a lot of precautions when he plays."

Much of Rafael Nadal's game is built on his athletic ability and pace around the court but Toni Nadal said he had worked to modify his game rather than reduce the number of matches he played.

"We are pleased with the season just finished, with the injury and everything. His play has improved and the matches have been less intense," he said.

"Roger Federer is a fully-rounded player; Rafael has a different style. The key factor has been to shorten the length of matches and we have achieved that.

"His problem is that he has to play to maintain his physical tone and fitness levels. There's no other way to do it than by competing."

The 21-year-old won six major tournaments in 2007 including his third French Open title at Roland Garros.

(Reporting by Mark Elkington; Editing by John Mehaffey)
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http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSL2856696920071128


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Thats really sad. I read that he was originally told in 2005 that he would never be able to play tennis again. But somehow he overcame that prediction. I hope he is able to overcome the injury. Tennis has been so exciting with Nadal-Fed rivalray.

You have the best clay courter vs. the 2nd best clay courter and the best grass courter vs. the second best grass courter competing everu year.

I think its one of the best rivalries in history and it would be a shame for that to end. If Nadal loses his battle with his injury then we all lose.
 
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I wonder if it is the same foot he broke in 2004, the injury which kept him from competing in his first French Championships. I'm no Nadal supporter, but it's worrying news.

My guess is it is a problem with tendons/soft tissue, such as plantar fasciitis.

Didn't Nadal miss a lot of time in 2006-07 due to his feet?
 
redclay said:
I wonder if it is the same foot he broke in 2004, the injury which kept him from competing in his first French Championships. I'm no Nadal supporter, but it's worrying news.

My guess is it is a problem with tendons/soft tissue, such as plantar fasciitis.

Didn't Nadal miss a lot of time in 2006-07 due to his feet?
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I am not a Nadal fan either but this rivalry is awesome. Wimbledon and the FO have rarely ever been this exciting.

If Nadal loses his battle with this injury then we all lose.
 
Zaragoza said:
This is 2 years old, nothing new here.
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The new thing is uncle Toni admitting that Nadal has serious issues.

Remember Shangai: Rafa is trying to play a physiically less demanding game. He didn't do that 2 years ago, when he ran for everything.

If you're such a succesful young player, you don't try to change your game to a less physical game when you're... only 21!! With his own style he has achieved more in three years than most players in a whole career. Then, why change at such early age? Because he's in danger.

Something serious is going on here.
 
Its sad, in any other era that Federer's he'd have picked up a few more slams, who knows now. I heard the same that it might be career threatening. I hope not as it would make things a lot less interesting for sure
 
origmarm said:
Its sad, in any other era that Federer's he'd have picked up a few more slams, who knows now. I heard the same that it might be career threatening. I hope not as it would make things a lot less interesting for sure
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In what era ? In Sampras era, do you suppose him to beat Sampras on grass ?? Sure he'll still win on clay, but I don't see him winning more slams if he plays in other era. In fact, he has more chance to win Wimbledon now than back in the 90s. Sampras was simply invincible in his prime on grass.
 
Maybe it's a stupid thought, but I wonder if Uncle TONY ever considered advising his nephew to take a long rest and work on rehabing the foot (and the knees for that matter)?

Or are they both just too greedy to stop the money train from a flowing...even if it means shortening Nadal's career and causing permanent damage? Hingis took a couple years off and she was able to come back...though not win majors, because the new breed of players were too overpowering. That wouldn't happen to Nadal.
 
Phil said:
Maybe it's a stupid thought, but I wonder if Uncle TONY ever considered advising his nephew to take a long rest and work on rehabing the foot (and the knees for that matter)?

Or are they both just too greedy to stop the money train from a flowing...even if it means shortening Nadal's career and causing permanent damage? Hingis took a couple years off and she was able to come back...though not win majors, because the new breed of players were too overpowering. That wouldn't happen to Nadal.
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Why greedy? I can imagine when you play at his level that one just wants to compete with the best. When you take a long time out, it will effect your position at the top. I think it's a sad thing for the sport. Federer is a favorite of mine, but Rafa made him better and their matches provide an excitement we used to have with past great encounters. Concerning Hinigs, the new breed of tennisplayers wasn't too overpowering. She couldn't handle Graf. The woman she mocked the most, beat her at RG. That drove her from tennis. And she lacked the courage to stand up against the Williams. Of course their game was very strong, but the reason she left (IMO) was more in her mind, than in her game.
 
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helloworld said:
In what era ? In Sampras era, do you suppose him to beat Sampras on grass ?? Sure he'll still win on clay, but I don't see him winning more slams if he plays in other era. In fact, he has more chance to win Wimbledon now than back in the 90s. Sampras was simply invincible in his prime on grass.
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What I'm getting at is that him and Federer are so far clear on the points they are in a zone of their own. If Fed wasn't about.....
 
Warriorroger said:
Why greedy? I can imagine when you play at his level that one just wants to compete with the best. When you take a long time out, it will effect your position at the top. I think it's a sad thing for the sport. Federer is a favorite of mine, but Rafa makes him better.
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I thought I made myself clear the first time. But..okay...greedy because instead of taking some time off and healing, he has apparently decided to keep playing. The only reason why that is is the money. Competition is not the point. But they are being penny wise and pound foolish, not bothering to look at the long term prospects for Nadal's career. He can only play on a damaged foot and knees for so long...a year, maybe two...but if he took enough time off to have the injuries treated and then recuperate and rehab, his career will last a few years beyond that.
 
Phil said:
I thought I made myself clear the first time. But..okay...greedy because instead of taking some time off and healing, he has apparently decided to keep playing. The only reason why that is is the money. Competition is not the point. But they are being penny wise and pound foolish, not bothering to look at the long term prospects for Nadal's career. He can only play on a damaged foot and knees for so long...a year, maybe two...but if he took enough time off to have the injuries treated and then recuperate and rehab, his career will last a few years beyond that.
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IMO, I think it was more to do with getting the #1 ranking.
 
Well so now we know - Rafa could have swept the board if he had not had this injury. Tennis without Rafa would be so dull - he brought me back when a lot of the other "great ones" drove me away from the game - he is never predicatable always exciting to watch - good luck Rafa
 
Serve and Volley said:
Thats really sad. I read that he was originally told in 2005 that he would never be able to play tennis again. But somehow he overcame that prediction. I hope he is able to overcome the injury. Tennis has been so exciting with Nadal-Fed rivalray.

You have the best clay courter vs. the 2nd best clay courter and the best grass courter vs. the second best grass courter competing everu year.

I think its one of the best rivalries in history and it would be a shame for that to end. If Nadal loses his battle with his injury then we all lose.
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Agreed.....
 
If Nadal's career is to be hampered by this injury it will really upset me. A player who is truly passionate who never gives up and is a role model for all kids out there and has brought something different to the sport . Nadal fan or not you have to appreciate his brilliance and the impact he has had on the game, i just hope for tennis's sake that it's not coming to an abrupt end .

Saying that this is quite BIG NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7117076.stm
I think that Nadal does play down alot of his injuries to seem the opponents victory was completely sincere, I can only hope he's not doing the same thing about this injury.

Good luck.
 
Cyan said:
Very true. Plus now the grass is way slower than in 90s.....
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Yeah, I don't see how Nadal is unlucky to be playing in this era. Federer has not been a big problem for him in the Slams - he has beaten Federer in 3 French Opens, and has lost to Federer in 2 Wimbledons - but he would have lost to Sampras as well, and he's damn lucky to be playing on this slow grass. Fed hasn't been in his way at the Aussie Open or US Open because he hasn't gone deep enough, he's been taken out by lesser players like Youzhny and Blake.

If anything, playing in the Sampras era would have been tougher for him.
 
PimpMyGame said:
Maybe he'll retire next year to become Federer's coach. The elusive RG will finally be within Roger's grasp.
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the funnest I have ever seen here.
Anyway, maybe it is good chance for Nadal and us. He will show his certain talent to change his game, to win himself and become the most impressive tennis player if not the greatest.:):)
 
rafan said:
Well so now we know - Rafa could have swept the board if he had not had this injury. Tennis without Rafa would be so dull - he brought me back when a lot of the other "great ones" drove me away from the game - he is never predicatable always exciting to watch - good luck Rafa
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To say that he would sweep the board is pure speculation. I kinda doubt it but I do hope that Nadal can come back and play at an effective level. He is exciting to watch.
 
Dilettante said:
The new thing is uncle Toni admitting that Nadal has serious issues.

Remember Shangai: Rafa is trying to play a physiically less demanding game. He didn't do that 2 years ago, when he ran for everything.

If you're such a succesful young player, you don't try to change your game to a less physical game when you're... only 21!! With his own style he has achieved more in three years than most players in a whole career. Then, why change at such early age? Because he's in danger.

Something serious is going on here.
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The fact that his uncle said it on an interview doesn´t change anything about the foot injury. Nadal already said something like this in the beginning of 2006 and he dealt with it in the last 2 years with great success and playing more matches in 2007 than in previous years. His foot didn´t get worse in the last 2 years and this year he has played more matches than ever and he has been closer to the no.1 than ever.
Of course he has changed his style a bit because every player at his age needs some adjustments and he needed to be more aggressive. With this change of style he is now a great player on grass which he wasn´t 2 years ago before his foot injury, he is even more dominant on clay than he was before his foot injury and he is more or less the same on hardcourts. He needed to change his style to become a better player out of clay and he did it partially. So despite of the foot injury he needed to change his style to become a better player out of clay which he did. There is nothing new about his foot injury in the last 2 years, it´s only that his uncle said now what we already knew 2 years ago because Nadal said it himself multiple times in interviews.
I think journalists and people in general (myself included) make a big deal of the most insignificant things regarding Nadal´s health. The only serious injury he had was the foot injury 2 years ago but he has played at a really high level after that playing more matches than ever. He needs to be careful, that´s all.
People could also talk about Djokovic´s breathing problems and back problems or Murray´s and Gasquet´s fitness problems for a change but because they have not been as successful as Nadal they´re supposed to be always healthy and their problems are overlooked.
 
I remember Nadal started to use an orthotics and modified the way he walk/runs. It sounded like it was due to some structural probelm in his foot/ankle rather than an injury caused accidentally.
 
rafan said:
Well so now we know - Rafa could have swept the board if he had not had this injury. Tennis without Rafa would be so dull - he brought me back when a lot of the other "great ones" drove me away from the game - he is never predicatable always exciting to watch - good luck Rafa
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Not predictable? I find his game very predictable. After you've seen about a million top spin forehands you sort of can guess that more are coming.
 
superman1 said:
Yeah, I don't see how Nadal is unlucky to be playing in this era. Federer has not been a big problem for him in the Slams - he has beaten Federer in 3 French Opens, and has lost to Federer in 2 Wimbledons - but he would have lost to Sampras as well, and he's damn lucky to be playing on this slow grass. Fed hasn't been in his way at the Aussie Open or US Open because he hasn't gone deep enough, he's been taken out by lesser players like Youzhny and Blake.

If anything, playing in the Sampras era would have been tougher for him.
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Agreed. I'm a Nadal fan but I have to admit he would have had it tougher in the 90s to win so many FO... there were so many great claycourters in the 90s....
 
fastdunn said:
I remember Nadal started to use an orthotics and modified the way he walk/runs. It sounded like it was due to some structural probelm in his foot/ankle rather than an injury caused accidentally.
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Here's the story of the injury...


Nadal's doctor, Angel Ruiz Cotorro, confirmed that the nineteen year old had suffered from a “stress injury” to the foot, which had gone through a “process of progressive readaptation”. Bone stress reactions are part of a continuum of bony injury, which if not adequately treated can lead to a stress fracture or fracture. They are caused by overuse, although altered biomechanics in the foot can also be a causative factor.

Stress fractures begin as stress reactions in bone (where there is an accumulation of microscopic damage to bone cells), which then progress to complete fractures due to repetitive loading during sporting activities. The bone stress reaction is often an 'intermediate' stage prior to a stress fracture where the athlete experiences an aching pain during and following activity.

Nadal’s medical team assessed the player’s lower limb alignment and biomechanics and as well as restricted activity, part of the medical management was to prescribe new insoles and modify the player’s footwear.

Nadal confessed, "I am pleased that we have located the problem and have now taken measures to solve it. They have made new insoles for my shoes and changed the supports for my foot, and that seems to be working because I don't have the same kind of pain as before.”

Speaking about his enforced injury lay off, the world number two admitted, "You think of everything, including that at the very worst you won't be able to return to play tennis again. I have cried many times at home, especially when I saw that I couldn't play and the pain wouldn't go away. I would leave it a few days and try again, but the pain would come back. It was a really bad time."
 
It seems that his injuries are broadcasted extensively when the hard court season comes. Cant he do a Bjorn Borg and cocentrate on non hard court events?
 
rafan said:
Well so now we know - Rafa could have swept the board if he had not had this injury. Tennis without Rafa would be so dull - he brought me back when a lot of the other "great ones" drove me away from the game - he is never predicatable always exciting to watch - good luck Rafa
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I don't know about "sweeping the board" but I didnotice that he used to give Fed more problems on HC earlier in his career. this injury is probably a big part of the reason.
 
well...this is a good time for Nads to temporarily retire.

Why?

He has made enough money, no? That money should keep his Uncle happy for now- while Nads recooperates.
 
Wasn't there a report a few weeks ago that stated Nadal's foot was better, and he will be able to run this off-seaons for the first time in 2 years?
 
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why does the perfect example of a tennis player have to get major injuries.

while the big bangers always seem to live on with their healthy bodies and whiny attitudes, and lazy habits.
 
Have been saying for a long time that Rafa should do a Borg. It would be really awful to sacrifice him for the sake of HC season. I stand by my previous remark about sweeping the board because I think this kid has guts and detrmination, he's young and it's obvious the breaks have been put on during the hard court season - the Rafa I first started to watch was fearless and of late he has not looked happy on HC.
 
I have a friend who ran a marathon and thereafter could never run more than three miles without excruciating pain in her foot. She had it x-rayed, had an MRI, but there was nothing specific - no fracture, no ligament damage. Just some sort of structural, tissue damage that wouldn't heal.

Sound's like Rafa's injury could be something like that. I hope he's not in severe pain. It's just too tough to go on and on in that sort of pain. I know he's tough, but it will catch up with him.

Here's hoping for a full recovery, or at least enough of a recovery to allow him to play his normal game.
 
futuretoptenner said:
and is a role model for all kids out there
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Other than the never-say-die attitude (which is to be admired) - what part of Nadal's game makes him a role model for all kids?
  • The game that doesn't work on hardcourts?
  • The game that is destructive on the body (sure, now it's the foot, but that's just the weak link in the chain. Medium term he was always going to have joint issues)
  • The constant cheating (time-violations)?
  • The stupid gamesmanship (time violations, waiting until the other player is ready in the tunnel and then taking another toilet break)?
He's a great tennis player, but society is warped when it comes to labelling every successful sportsperson, musician, actor etc - a role model. When it comes to tennis, later Agassi was a role model, later Federer is a role model, Pat Rafter was a role model, Stefan Edberg was a role model. Nadal is a great tennis player.

herosol said:
why does the perfect example of a tennis player have to get major injuries.
while the big bangers always seem to live on with their healthy bodies and whiny attitudes, and lazy habits.
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I'm sorry - how is he not a big-banger? How is he the perfect example of a tennis player? He may well be (the next in a long line) of perfect clay-court players (borg / lendl / muster / kuerten / etc), and he may well be working his way to being the best on that list. Surely the perfect example of a tennis player would look a lot closer to someone who excelled on all surfaces, truly excelled on them, like fed / sampras / even lendl... than Nadal.

Blah blah, I'll be seen as another anti-Nadal person. I'm not. I like the challenge he brings to the game, I like his passion, I like the things he can do to a tennis ball....I just think if he doesn't win other than the French, and certainly if he fails to win next year's french... well he's just another excellent claycourter (who did exceptionally well at W a couple of times). His performances from mid-July to February 06-07 and so far 07-08 have been (for a world #2) abysmal.
 
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I agree his performance has not been great lately but surely the above article (from unlce toni) gives us the reason. Nadal must be terrified that any tournament he is playing could be his last - or for some time. Also you forgot to mention that for a kid of 19 - 21 his behaviour under stress has been really remarkable - no tanrums etc - yes I would say he is an excellent role model for yound players coming through the ranks, he has courage, determination and is a truly well rounded person
 
OrangeOne said:
Other than the never-say-die attitude (which is to be admired) - what part of Nadal's game makes him a role model for all kids?
  • The game that doesn't work on hardcourts?
  • The game that is destructive on the body (sure, now it's the foot, but that's just the weak link in the chain. Medium term he was always going to have joint issues)
  • The constant cheating (time-violations)?
  • The stupid gamesmanship (time violations, waiting until the other player is ready in the tunnel and then taking another toilet break)?
He's a great tennis player, but society is warped when it comes to labelling every successful sportsperson, musician, actor etc - a role model. When it comes to tennis, later Agassi was a role model, later Federer is a role model, Pat Rafter was a role model, Stefan Edberg was a role model. Nadal is a great tennis player.



I'm sorry - how is he not a big-banger? How is he the perfect example of a tennis player? He may well be (the next in a long line) of perfect clay-court players (borg / lendl / muster / kuerten / etc), and he may well be working his way to being the best on that list. Surely the perfect example of a tennis player would look a lot closer to someone who excelled on all surfaces, truly excelled on them, like fed / sampras / even lendl... than Nadal.

Blah blah, I'll be seen as another anti-Nadal person. I'm not. I like the challenge he brings to the game, I like his passion, I like the things he can do to a tennis ball....I just think if he doesn't win other than the French, and certainly if he fails to win next year's french... well he's just another excellent claycourter (who did exceptionally well at W a couple of times). His performances from mid-July to February 06-07 and so far 07-08 have been (for a world #2) abysmal.
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I believe he is as much a role model for kids as Roger Federer, fair enough his game isn't as effective as say Roger's game on his hard courts but I think it's unfair to say it's totally ineffective on hard courts he's beaten Roger on a hard court and has some titles on HC's. And he offers alot more than the never say die attitude for kids:
- Never swears on court or loses his temper ... I've never seen Nadal break a racket.
- Fighting spirit (mentioned above)
- Respect to other players and no excuses if he loses even when injured.
- Believing in there is always something to be improved .
- Not having the perfect technique but showing heart can pull you through as well as skill.
and the list goes on...
You've got a point about large breaks between points but he hasn't been penalized for it and it's just the rhythm of play that suits him best, that's like saying Roddick is cheating because he takes so little time between points. I think your points have some truth but not quite at the extent your making.
 
There's a lesson here for everyone on how much your body can handle. A bunch of us were posting a year or more ago that Nadal would likely have a short or disappointing career because he throws himself around the court too violently, and does so unnecessarily at times, like that silly sprint to the baseline after the coin toss. People on the board who point out how they play every day, or even more than once a day, should take note. Federer has said he spends two hours a day on just stretching and massage. Most of us don't have the luxury of taking that kind of care of ourselves.
 
OrangeOne said:
Other than the never-say-die attitude (which is to be admired) - what part of Nadal's game makes him a role model for all kids?
  • The game that doesn't work on hardcourts?
  • The game that is destructive on the body (sure, now it's the foot, but that's just the weak link in the chain. Medium term he was always going to have joint issues)
  • The constant cheating (time-violations)?
  • The stupid gamesmanship (time violations, waiting until the other player is ready in the tunnel and then taking another toilet break.)

    You are being very dramatic. If this is the worst he has done you are one tough customer to please. He is a hustler in the same way Connors was. Do you even know what a role model is? NO ONE athlete should be a role model for kids...parents, teachers and community members (coaches, etc.) should be the role models. I like Fed and Edberg, but c'mon..role model?
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ollinger said:
There's a lesson here for everyone on how much your body can handle. A bunch of us were posting a year or more ago that Nadal would likely have a short or disappointing career because he throws himself around the court too violently, and does so unnecessarily at times, like that silly sprint to the baseline after the coin toss. People on the board who point out how they play every day, or even more than once a day, should take note. Federer has said he spends two hours a day on just stretching and massage. Most of us don't have the luxury of taking that kind of care of ourselves.
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I know what you mean, Why does Nadal do all that jumping around if he has a tender foot? Because its not an issue! If it were he would not play in so many tourney's. You are correct about Fed, he does not weight lift for 3 hours a day so he can have guns for arms. I have read somewhere he gets a lot of massages (I believe Mirka had something to do w/that).
 
Nadal is #2 and the #1 is being called the greatest ever. I don't think he is doing badly with the so-called injuries. Agassi said "Nadal is writing checks his body can't cash" but he retired 0-2 against Nadal.
 
slappano said:
You are being very dramatic. If this is the worst he has done you are one tough customer to please. He is a hustler in the same way Connors was. Do you even know what a role model is? NO ONE athlete should be a role model for kids...parents, teachers and community members (coaches, etc.) should be the role models. I like Fed and Edberg, but c'mon..role model?
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Slappano... I think you're actually agreeing with me! I was replying to someone else's post, that post said Nadal was a role model, I was saying I don't think he necessarily warrants that status.

I didn't suggest that kids should only have ONE role model either, of course kids will look up to many, many people, I just think if kids are to idolise (in a role-model sense) any tennis players (as their, let's say.... 'sports role model', or even just their 'tennis role model', someone like Fed or Edberg would be better. Someone old school, someone with the dress and the manner and the sense of adhering to rules (even when they're not being administered). I know this is slightly 'oldie' thinking...
 
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