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Toni Nadal reveals all on Spaniard's long-running injury problems
RAFAEL NADAL is attempting to recover from another injury - but his uncle Toni claims the Spaniard is constantly struggling physically.
By AARON STOKES
13:54, Fri, Sep 14, 2018 | UPDATED: 14:42, Fri, Sep 14, 2018
US Open: Nadal says he ‘hates retiring’ but pain was too much
The world No 1 was forced to retire in the semi-final of the US Open when facing Juan Martin del Potro last weekend.
Nadal is resting at present but will be hoping to return in time for the upcoming China Open which takes place this Autumn.
However, speaking over the summer, the 31-year-old's uncle revealed even when the tennis star is fully fit, he is battling physical struggles from prior injuries.
"Rafael has been living with pain and painkillers since 2005," Toni said.
The specialist we went to told us that Rafael's career was pretty much finished
Toni Nadal
"For this reason, he's considered his well-being above wins and many times he's told me that he would have liked to win less in exchange for having less pain."
Nadal suffered a foot problem back in 2005 which could have led to the end of his tennis career.
"The specialist we went to told us that Rafael's career was pretty much finished," Toni added.
"Well, in 2005 Rafael had to constantly live in pain.
Rafael Nadal has been struggling since 2005 (Image: Getty)
Rafael Nadal retired against Juan Martin del Potro (Image: Getty)
"From that time on, we couldn't finish training sessions a lot of times.
"A lot of times - almost always - he would have to take a painkiller because the pain would get worse and worse as the games went on.
"Because of some insoles that he started using, which solved his foot problem, he started having problems in his knee, back and other parts of his body."
The China Open gets underway on October 1 and former world No 2 Alex Corretja believes Nadal will be fit for the tournament.
“I would not say this is like a major injury, it's just something that he felt there,” he said.
Rafael Nadal will be hoping to return before the China Open (Image: Getty)
“I think he had a great preparation before the US Open because he won in Toronto and then he stopped, he got ready, he did some fitness, and then unfortunately he felt something during his second or third match as he said.
“Then he recovered from that but then he felt in the game.
“Definitely, it's a big disappointment for everyone, not only for us of course as Spanish people but it's just for all regular tennis fans.
“It looked that Rafa went to the court perfectly, he felt kind of something on the knee and we saw already that his face was not there.
“From the very beginning of the first set, you could see that he was not feeling comfortable.
“And unfortunately he had to retire. Because he cannot play 100 per cent and all the credit to Del Potro who pushed him so much side by side and hit winners all over the place.”
RAFAEL NADAL is attempting to recover from another injury - but his uncle Toni claims the Spaniard is constantly struggling physically.
By AARON STOKES
13:54, Fri, Sep 14, 2018 | UPDATED: 14:42, Fri, Sep 14, 2018
US Open: Nadal says he ‘hates retiring’ but pain was too much
The world No 1 was forced to retire in the semi-final of the US Open when facing Juan Martin del Potro last weekend.
Nadal is resting at present but will be hoping to return in time for the upcoming China Open which takes place this Autumn.
However, speaking over the summer, the 31-year-old's uncle revealed even when the tennis star is fully fit, he is battling physical struggles from prior injuries.
"Rafael has been living with pain and painkillers since 2005," Toni said.
The specialist we went to told us that Rafael's career was pretty much finished
Toni Nadal
"For this reason, he's considered his well-being above wins and many times he's told me that he would have liked to win less in exchange for having less pain."
Nadal suffered a foot problem back in 2005 which could have led to the end of his tennis career.
"The specialist we went to told us that Rafael's career was pretty much finished," Toni added.
"Well, in 2005 Rafael had to constantly live in pain.
Rafael Nadal has been struggling since 2005 (Image: Getty)
Rafael Nadal retired against Juan Martin del Potro (Image: Getty)
"From that time on, we couldn't finish training sessions a lot of times.
"A lot of times - almost always - he would have to take a painkiller because the pain would get worse and worse as the games went on.
"Because of some insoles that he started using, which solved his foot problem, he started having problems in his knee, back and other parts of his body."
The China Open gets underway on October 1 and former world No 2 Alex Corretja believes Nadal will be fit for the tournament.
“I would not say this is like a major injury, it's just something that he felt there,” he said.
Rafael Nadal will be hoping to return before the China Open (Image: Getty)
“I think he had a great preparation before the US Open because he won in Toronto and then he stopped, he got ready, he did some fitness, and then unfortunately he felt something during his second or third match as he said.
“Then he recovered from that but then he felt in the game.
“Definitely, it's a big disappointment for everyone, not only for us of course as Spanish people but it's just for all regular tennis fans.
“It looked that Rafa went to the court perfectly, he felt kind of something on the knee and we saw already that his face was not there.
“From the very beginning of the first set, you could see that he was not feeling comfortable.
“And unfortunately he had to retire. Because he cannot play 100 per cent and all the credit to Del Potro who pushed him so much side by side and hit winners all over the place.”
