Toni: Rafa taking fresh strides towards recovery
Rafael Nadal
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Rafael Nadal is recovering well from his latest knee injury – with the help of some new insoles, according to coach and uncle Toni.
The world No.4’s battle to overcome a serious knee injury looked to have taken a turn for the worse when he was forced to forego the defence of his Australian Open crown in the quarter-finals.
Nadal trailed Andy Murray 6-3 7-6(5) after two intense sets of tennis, but emerged gingerly at the start of the third, calling for the trainer after the first game and retiring after slipping 3-0 behind.
Tests later revealed that the knee injury was not a recurrence of the tendinitis that forced the Spaniard to take nearly two months out last summer, but a minor tendon tear in his right knee.
The injury may sound similarly serious, but Toni Nadal insists that rest and rehab are all that his charge needs to recover – and Rafa is well on his way.
“Rafa’s knee is getting better,” Toni told reporters. “The recovery is going pretty well.
And the four-time Roland Garros champion’s uncle revealed that he instructed Nadal to retire in Melbourne.
“From the stands I first advised him to call the physio and then to retire since it was obvious to me he couldn’t keep playing,” said Toni. “Retirement was the right decision to take at that time.”
Nadal put together one of the most dominant passages in modern times to usurp Roger Federer at the top of the rankings in 2008.
Along the way he clinched the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double and Olympic gold before picking up his first hard court Grand Slam title at last year’s Australian Open.
The Spaniard didn’t stop there, but his body began to show signs of the toll by the spring of 2009.
Quiet concerns developed into full-blown alarm bells when he lost at Roland Garros for the first time, beaten by Robin Soderling in the fourth round.
Having revealed that he was suffering with quadriceps tendinitis in both knees, Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon, where he was defending champion, to give his body time to heal.
Since then, the Spaniard has not claimed a Tour title, though did play his part in Spain’s Davis Cup victory over the Czech Republic in December.
“If we go throughout his career, you can tell me he’s got some physical problems,“admitted Toni. “But tennis is a very aggressive game and injuries are normal things to happen.
“Now Rafa has some problems on his foot, so he needs special insoles to correct the footstep,” he added. “Apart from that we are all very happy with how things are going on so far.”
Toni Nadal also echoed Rafa’s stance that Grand Slam titles are now his primary focus as he readdresses his playing schedule in 2010, shrugging off concerns about his slide to No.4 in the world rankings after the year’s first major.
“Everybody would like to remain at the very top of the ATP rankings, but at the end of the day what tennis players want is to win tournaments,” he said. “Now, we are just focusing on getting Rafa back fighting for the Grand Slams.”
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CV. Feb 13, 02:08 AM
Nadal is such a Gentleman on and off the Court. He is an excelent athlete. His behaviour
during matches is impeccable. I have never seen him abuse a racket. He is responslble for my renewed interest in tennis. I pray in time he will get back to his form of 2008. The sport is better for his presence.
His Uncle/Coach, and Parents can be justly proud of Nadal. He takes proper behavour to A
Higher Level which is indicative of good upbringing.
Perhaps I am one of his oldest fans; am appreciative of a youngman who can contain himself under such stressful situation.
Nadal is a Gem, A Prince, A Very Special Person.