Tennis

Uncle Toni after Rafael Nadal’s injury: “Tennis players need to be protected”

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After the defeat suffered in the second round of the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal underwent an MRI which showed a second degree lesion to the iliopsoas muscle in his left leg. The Majorcan will have to stay still for at least six weeks and will therefore miss the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami.

His goal is to return to the field in Monte Carlo and start the season on clay without physical problems. Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and former coach, let himself go into a harsh outburst due to the rhythms that tennis players are called upon to sustain in the ATP Tour.

Toni Nadal: “They do nothing to protect tennis players”

Toni, in an editorial published in the El Pais, explained: “Today I will regret, once again, the fact that tennis leaders have spent so much time doing nothing to protect players from a discipline that has gradually become too aggressive.

It seems that no one is willing to slow down the speed of the balls, also hindering the execution of shots and the tactical aspect. No one has thought of reducing the effort to which the body of tennis players is subjected to return and maintain the same speed and aggression.

The problem has been evident for some time and, despite this, no measures have been taken to reduce the intensity of trade. There are numerous tennis players of the stature of Gustavo Kuerten, Magnus Norman or Lleyton Hewitt, to name but a few, who have had to retire early.”

Toni Nadal then spoke about his nephew’s future: “My hope is to see him, once again, raise his head and fight to defend his chances of victory at Roland Garros. His body will have to react well, because he won’t lack the ability to suffer. You have to be careful. I am happy with the ovation they gave him in Australia when he said goodbye to the tournament on the Rod Laver Arena.”

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