A champion remains a champion. After a year of absence from the circuit, Rafael Nadal
proved that he was still a great tennis player this Tuesday January 2, 2024 at the Brisbane tournament. Indeed, the Spaniard defeated the Austrian Dominic Thiem, winner of the US Open in 2020, in two sets (7-5, 6-1). A great victory for Novak Djokovic’s rival, who suffers from an incurable illness.
Indeed, the absence of Rafael Nadal for a year is unfortunately not due to chance. The 37-year-old athlete has suffered from Müller-Weiss syndrome for years. A degenerative and incurable disease which is characterized by the deformation of one of the bones of the foot. In fact, two days after winning Roland Garros in 2022, the tennis player underwent new treatment for his pain problems in his left foot.
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Rafael Nadal, still present despite his illness
He even revealed that he played his final at Roland Garros with an anesthetized foot. An experience which he said he would not repeat. “I will be there if my body allows me. Wimbledon is a priority, the Grand Slam tournaments are a priority. Playing them under anti-inflammatory, yes. With anesthetic injections, no”he explained when journalists wanted to know if he was going to play in the Wimbledon tournament a few weeks later.
A few weeks before his first match after a year of absence, Rafael Nadal still suggested that the year 2024 could well be the last of his career. “The problem when I say this will be my last season is that I can’t predict 100% what will happen in the future.”, he however qualified at a press conference. Rafa fans must hope that the sensations are there throughout the year and that the athlete does not get injured. This could therefore suggest retirement as late as possible.
RF