Nadal: I am pain-free for first time in 'year and half'

Nadal hasn't played a grass-court warm-up event ahead of Wimbledon, preferring instead to focus on alleviating his foot pain and then practising on the surface in Mallorca.

Published : Jun 25, 2022 20:44 IST

Rafael Nadal said Saturday that for the first time in 18 months he has defeated the crippling foot pain.
Rafael Nadal said Saturday that for the first time in 18 months he has defeated the crippling foot pain.
lightbox-info

Rafael Nadal said Saturday that for the first time in 18 months he has defeated the crippling foot pain.

Rafael Nadal said on Saturday that for the first time in 18 months he has defeated the crippling foot pain which threatened to push him to the brink of retirement.

Nadal captured his 14th French Open and record-extending 22nd major earlier this month to put himself halfway to the first men's calendar Grand Slam since 1969.

However, in the aftermath of his Paris victory, he revealed that he had needed to have his left foot anaesthetised to keep competing.

He then underwent "pulsed radiofrequency stimulation", a treatment aimed at reducing nerve pain.

"I can walk normal most of the days, almost every single day. That's for me the main issue," said the 36-year-old Spaniard at Wimbledon on Saturday.

READ:

"When I wake up, I don't have this pain that I was having for the last year and a half, so quite happy about that.

"And second thing, practising. Since the last two weeks, I didn't have one day of these terrible days that I can't move at all. The feeling and overall feelings are positive."

Nadal is a two-time champion at Wimbledon but his last title at the All England Club came 12 years ago.

ALSO READ:

This year he is seeded two which at least gives him the benefit of avoiding old rival and top seed Novak Djokovic until the final.

The Spaniard hasn't played a grass-court warm-up event, preferring instead to focus on alleviating his foot pain and then practising on the surface in Mallorca.

"In 2003 (his debut year), I never thought that I'd have a chance to win Wimbledon," he said.

"Today it's a different story. I had some success here."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment