Blown by her 14e title at Roland-Garros and his 22e triumph in Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal did not go through four paths to mention that he was going to think very seriously about his future. Right now, if he listened to his body, he would stop playing.
Posted at 3:13 p.m.
This is what he said in his post-match interviews on Sunday, after having curtly disposed of Casper Ruud in three sets in the French Open final.
PHOTO CHRISTOPHE ENA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rafael Nadal and the Musketeers Cup
Nadal has been suffering from a pathology in his left foot for 18 years. This is Müller-Weiss syndrome, which causes a bone in his left foot to no longer be irrigated normally and gradually dies, causing chronic pain.
It was this injury that made him miss the last four months of last season and that ended his adventure at the Rome tournament a few weeks ago against Denis Shapovalov.
He confided that during the fortnight which has just ended at the Porte d’Auteuil, he received an injection before each match to numb his aching nerves.
That’s why I was able to play: I played without pain, but also without any sensation or sensitivity, like teeth knocked out by the dentist.
Rafael Nadal
The Spaniard added, however, that this method of treatment was not a medium and long-term remedy: “It’s a risk I wanted to take to play here, not a risk I want to take in the future. Playing with painkillers, yes, with anesthetics, no. It can happen once, but I don’t want to make it a philosophy of life. »
An uncertain future
The 36-year-old athlete’s career is full and his legend will forever be eternal. Except that as a fierce competitor, he would want to get back into the arena as soon as possible. However, it is his body that will have the last word.
“Under the current circumstances, I cannot and do not want to continue playing,” he said. Before adding that “it is obvious that I cannot continue to play with a numb foot”.
The Wimbledon tournament, played on grass, will start in about 20 days and it would be surprising to see Nadal fight for his third major title of the season.
“I will be at Wimbledon if my body is ready to be at Wimbledon,” he added, adding that he “wanted” to be there.
Ruud will remember this for a long time
How difficult is it to face Rafael Nadal in the final of this tournament?
Casper Ruud’s answer leaves no doubt: “As I said in my speech, I am one more victim that he destroyed on this court in the final. He’s the ultimate clay court player. He has the perfect game for the ground. For other surfaces too, of course, but here it’s amazing. The heaviness and spin it gives the ball is unmatched on the tour.
“This match will be something I will probably remember for the rest of my career. There are certain moments that you remember more than others, this one will be at the top of my list, the biggest match I have ever played. He’s a player I’ve watched on TV for the past 16 or 17 years. Being there myself and facing him is a challenge, but it’s also very pleasant. Of course, I would have preferred to compete more, but at the end of the day, I hope that one day I will be able to tell my grandchildren that I played against Rafa on the Chatrier in the final. They will probably say to me: ‟Isn’t it true?”. And I will be able to answer them: “Yes!” »