According to American tennis legend Jimmy Connors, Rafael Nadal clearly wants to compete but is also aware that competing while injured or not completely prepared will do him more harm than good because he will be unable to perform at his peak.
What was supposed to be Nadal’s big 2024 comeback and goodbye has turned out to be a very hard and challenging moment for both the Spaniard and his fans. The 37-year-old Spaniard has been out since tearing a hip muscle at the Brisbane International.
After missing the Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami to focus on the clay season, Nadal was unable to recover in time for this week’s Monte Carlo Masters. In his statement from Thursday, Nadal sounded devastated and stated that his body would not allow him to compete in the Principality.
Connors, a former eight-time Grand Slam champion, sympathizes with Nadal and understands exactly where the Spaniard is coming from, as the American tennis star believes playing hurt is “the worst thing.”
“Playing injured isn’t fun, especially as you age. If you’re not careful, you could cause much more damage. Rafa’s been around long enough, he knows himself better than anyone else, and no one should make that decision but him,” Connors stated on the Advantage Connors podcast.
“There’s nothing worse than playing hurt because it eliminates everything. It takes away your movement, your shot-making technique, and your mindset toward the way you want to play. You’re constantly hedging; you’re not completely sure in your health and movement.”
Connors on Nadal refusing to stop when clearly suffering
According to Connors, Nadal has struggled since winning back-to-back Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and French Open in 2022. He has not played much since then. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has only competed in three events since the beginning of 2023, making the last 16 months particularly difficult.
Nadal’s words and communications throughout 2023 made it evident that he was dealing with a difficult position. Now that the former world number one is again in a similar scenario despite having his hip surgically repaired last year, it is clear that everything is getting uncomfortable for him.
Regarding the Nadal scenario, Connors believes that great champions sometimes have difficulty recognizing that it may be time to retire because there is always a desire to keep pushing as long as possible.
“I understand how difficult it is to let go.” No matter what, you try to do everything you can to stay at the top of the game for so long and be so successful, and you know, it may be difficult to let go,” Connors remarked.
“With his accomplishment… There’s no looking back and saying, ‘I wish I would’ve done something.’ I’m sure he’s done all he’s ever been asked to do in the game, and you know, taking care of your health is all about making that decision.”
When might Nadal play again?
This clay season, Nadal planned to participate in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, followed by the Masters events in Madrid and Rome, and finishing with the French Open.
Now that Nadal has opted out of Monte Carlo, the optimum case would be for him to return to action in Barcelona on April 15th, followed by four clay-court tournaments.
After withdrawing from Monte Carlo, Nadal posted a video on Friday showing him training on clay. The Spaniard will now have an extra week of practice, but there is no certainty that he will be able to make his long-awaited return to the clay courts in Barcelona.
On Friday, Toni Nadal was asked about his nephew’s chances of appearing in the two forthcoming Spanish clay events.
“I’m not sure what he will do with Barcelona and Madrid. I haven’t been in his sports atmosphere in years. Toni Nadal told EFE: “When we see each other, I ask him how things are going, but I don’t ask him about his plans.”
“I hope he can play because a successful Roland Garros is essential. I saw him a few days ago and inquired. He told me it wasn’t going well, and I told him the same thing I always say: ‘Let’s not complain, it’s gone really well for us,’ because we expected his career to end in 2011 or 2012.
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