"
in 2013 my knee was not doing well. I played on painkillers the entire year, getting shots of Voltaren [a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug] every day. The grass demanded a mental and physical effort from me that I was unable to bear. I remember I went to an exhibition game against Nishikori as training, and I did not feel well. Seeing myself helpless, seeing I could not find something to motivate me, prevented me from making the effort
Q. Did you become afraid of the grass?
A. It’s just that my knee was hurting. Not fear. Pain. It’s not a matter of fear. I am not a fearful person, but when it hurts, it hurts, and when there’s a limitation, there’s a limitation. I am going to Halle because I want to try to play well on the grass again. After that,
if my back does not respond or if my knee acts up ... that’s the way it will be, I will have tried."
http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/06/10/inenglish/1402395926_047759.html
Such a warrior!!! What courage! And now we all have an explanation should he fall early again.
After many years of watching tennis, I'm now convinced that Rafa hasn't lost a match without an injury playing it's part since Tsonga at the AO 2008.