Nadal's Inevitable Announcement Reminds of His Greatness

Nadal will end his career with at least 22 Grand Slam titles to his name but could that number - among others - been far greater but for his perpetually injured self?

May 21, 2023

I am not injured. I am a player living with an injury.

- Rafael Nadal.

This week, the tennis world was taken aback by a gloomy-yet-inevitable announcement from Nadal - the King of Clay will miss the French Open and Wimbledon due to a hip injury, and 2024 will likely be his last season on the ATP Tour. So it is only fair we speak about Rafa in our latest edition of the TWL newsletter.

Inevitable yet awe-inspiring, this latest chapter in Rafael Nadal's journey comes as no shock.

Throughout his illustrious career, the Spanish maestro has valiantly fought against a myriad of injuries, consistently defying the odds with resounding comebacks.

But his relentless demands on his body could only be sustained for so long. You can push yourself to the brink only so often before health precedes everything else.

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Now 36 (soon to turn 37), Nadal has had an astonishing career to which words do not do justice. He has etched his name in the books of history as one of the greatest names in tennis, alongside Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

To list his highlights, there are:

22 Grand Slams
14 Roland Garros titles (112-3)
91.3% win rate on clay (474-45)
19 years of winning at least one title on the tour
596 weeks in the top 2 on the ATP Rankings
And the list goes on and on…

One can't help but wonder how different these numbers would have been had Nadal not had to fight his body time and again.

For example, he lost the 2014 Australian Open Final to Stan Wawrinka in four sets, despite leading 12-0 against the Swiss. The reason - he suffered a lower back injury in the warm-up, which got progressively worse as the match went on.

Similarly, in the 2016 French Open, Nadal withdrew from the third round due to a wrist injury. That marked the sole instance where he was forced to retire from the Paris Slam.

Then in the 2018 Melbourne Major, he retired in the fifth set against Marin Cilic in the quarterfinal - citing a hip injury. It was a similar story at Wimbledon last year, where an abdominal tear compelled him to withdraw from the semifinal.

And then there are instances where Nadal has had to miss Grand Slams and many more events because of fitness concerns:

2004 French Open, Wimbledon - Stress fracture
2006 Australian Open - Foot injury
2009 Wimbledon - Knee injury
2012 Olympics and the US Open - Knee tendinitis
2013 Australian Open - Stomach virus
2014 US Open - Wrist injury
2016 Wimbledon - Wrist injury
2021 Olympics, Wimbledon, US Open - Left foot issue

All in all, Nadal has had to miss at least 10 majors and numerous other ATP tournaments due to injuries. Surprisingly, Federer was forced to cut less than half as many for similar reasons - but then again, injury-related problems became a consistent part of the Swiss's career only in the closing years.

Nadal has undeniably faced significant challenges with his knee, along with the chronic Mueller-Weiss syndrome in his left ankle.

In his victorious journey at the 2022 French Open, Nadal opted for injections before each of his seven matches, highlighting his determination to compete. Nevertheless, Nadal has expressed his reluctance to undergo such measures again, acknowledging its strain on his body.

History is full of instances where players have never hit their stride again after fighting fitness concerns. Of course, comparing is unfair, as each individual is unique and has different metabolisms and physiques.

Nonetheless, to list a few players who had their careers sidetracked due to injuries: Juan Martin del Potro, David Nalbandian, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Juan Ferrero.

To think that Nadal could have just as easily faced similar challenges. The forces of the universe tried their best to derail him and seemingly made numerous attempts - not once, not twice, but countless times!

Yet, despite all obstacles, he emerged triumphant in the face of adversity and established innumerable records that are unlikely to be surpassed in the near future. It's hard not to ponder whether the gods and goddesses of health had not been so displeased with Rafa.

Could he have possibly amassed 30 Majors? Over 100 ATP titles? Perhaps even won multiple year-end ATP Finals, the only crown missing from his otherwise flawless oeuvre?

But then again, his audacious tenacity in the face of everlasting body problems defines him as the great player he is. If it were not for his body's woes, would he have risen to greatness and become the name we know today?

Unquestionably, Rafael Nadal's unwavering resoluteness in overcoming problems has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Battling through various bodily setbacks, he has showcased unparalleled endurance, steadfast persistence, and indomitable mental strength. Overcoming the physical obstacles his own body presented, Nadal bounced back with inspiring resilience, effortlessly reclaiming his rightful place in the winner's circle.

And now, as the curtains draw to a close on his illustrious career, my goodness, did he forever steal the show.

Last evening, as my friend and I were discussing tennis, he did tell me he had lost some interest when Federer retired, but now, with Nadal also set to exit (at least by the looks of it), he has lost his desire to follow the game religiously.

So, of course, many loyal fans of our generation will lose interest in ATP Tour as we are still waiting to see the rivalry or level of consistent play we saw from the giants (Perhaps, Carlos Alcaraz can step up?)

To end on a positive note, Federer closed his career in his late 30s. Nadal is still 37, so if he pulls through again for one last ride, he can at least the Paris Slam again and end on a high next year.

If not, well, ce'st la vie.

While we are on the topic of Nadal, here’re some other articles that might interest you too:

Have you wondered why tennis players, like Rafa, bounce the ball so many times? Here’s a narrative about that.
And why do tennis players, again like Nadal, bite their trophies? More on that here.
Lastly, what are some of the best male singles tennis matches of the Millennium? Nadal has his name in eight of the best 20! Here’s more.

TennisWorldLive.com

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