Tennis

Rafael Nadal: ‘I was devastated’

on

Rafael Nadal was in a challenging position at the end of 2021. The Spaniard missed the second part of the season due to a foot injury, and more setbacks were waiting around the corner. Nadal tested positive for the coronavirus in December after landing in Spain following his recent trip to Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Rafa competed at the 13th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. He lost to Andy Murray and Denis Shapovalov and returned to Spain for the final preparations ahead of the Melbourne trip. Nadal felt fine but had to stay at home and endure the quarantine. Rafa skipped all the action since early August, playing two matches in Washington and calling it a season due to a foot injury experienced at Roland Garros.

The Spaniard returned to action in Abu Dhabi. He lost in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship semi-final to Andy Murray in straight sets before suffering a loss to Denis Shapovalov in the match tie break a day later. Nadal had many ups and downs in 2021, playing only 29 official matches and missing many tournaments due to injuries. After the Australian Open, Rafa stayed away from the court until April. He claimed two ATP titles in Barcelona and Rome before losing an epic Roland Garros encounter with Novak Djokovic. It lasted four hours and 11 minutes, and Nadal injured his left foot, struggling in the fourth set and skipping Wimbledon and the Olympic Games.

Rafael Nadal had many setbacks ahead of 2022.

The Spaniard played only two more encounters in Washington before wrapping up the year, hoping for a fresh start in 2022. Nadal turned into a perfect one, winning the opening 20 matches of the 2022 season and writing history books. Rafa traveled to Melbourne without big expectations, seeking form and as many matches as possible. As it turned out, the veteran stopped the clock and claimed his second Australian Open crown following an epic victory over Daniil Medvedev in five hours and 24 minutes. 

“The first part of the season was very exciting and emotional. I was making a comeback after five difficult months, and my foot was not in good shape. I caught the virus during the Abu Dhabi exhibition and was devastated after staying home for ten days. I traveled to Australia just two days after I recovered, and I wondered if that was the right move. I played well in Melbourne but could not imagine what would happen at the Australian Open. The final against Daniil Medvedev was one of the most exciting ones I have ever played,” Rafael Nadal said. 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login