Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has given fans hope that he may play at Wimbledon this year, but also clarified what could prevent him from appearing at the All England Club.
Nadal’s comments came following another French Open championship victory. He defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud in straight sets. Despite a spirited effort from Ruud, who led 3-1 early in the second set, Nadal cruised to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 win.
His sublime performance is made all the more impressive, given the fact that the Spaniard played through a chronic foot injury. It is an issue that has plagued him for most of his career.
The ‘King of Clay’ took his French Open title total to an unbelievable 14 with the victory – a testament to Nadal’s total dominance at Roland-Garros. Incredibly, the Spaniard’s career win-loss record at the French Open stands at 112 wins and just three defeats. He has never lost a men’s singles final at the event.
Additionally, Rafael Nadal extended his record for most men’s singles Grand Slam titles. He has won 22 across his storied career – two more than his eternal rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
However, fans are concerned about how Nadal’s play may affect his health.
Fears over missing next Grand Slam
In the build-up to the French Open final, speculation flew regarding Nadal’s future plans. Reports claimed that the Spaniard would take an extended break after Roland-Garros due to his chronic left foot injury.
He has been dealing with the problem since 2005. However, Nadal had to take strong measures to compete in Paris this year.
Doctors injected his foot with anaesthetic to allow Nadal to play without pain. But this came with risk – he could not properly feel his foot, therefore increasing the chance of turning his ankle on the clay, just like his semi-final opponent Alexander Zverev did. Thankfully, Nadal successfully negotiated his way through the tournament without further damage.
Unfortunately, the injections hold the key to Rafael Nadal appearing at Wimbledon this year.
Rafael Nadal talks Wimbledon
The current world number four outlined how the injections are not the solution to his long-term foot issue. He does not want to play if they are his only option for competing without pain.
“It’s obvious with the circumstances that I am playing, I can’t, and I don’t want to keep going,” admitted Nadal, per BBC Sport.
However, all hope is not lost. If his Mueller-Weiss syndrome recovers to a more manageable level, Nadal may play at SW19 at the end of June.
“I’m going to be in Wimbledon if my body is ready to be in Wimbledon,” he said. “That’s it. Wimbledon is not a tournament I want to miss. I think nobody wants to miss it. I love Wimbledon.
“If I am able to play with anti-inflammatories, yes; to play with anaesthetic injections, no. I don’t want to put myself in that position again.”
One option that Rafael Nadal has before the start of Wimbledon on June 27th is radiofrequency ablation. This applies heat to the affected nerve to reduce long-standing pain. However, if it does not work, he may have to have surgery. This could spell the end of his storied tennis career.
Here is hoping that one of the sport’s most iconic figures is ready to go for a third Wimbledon title.
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