Premature defeat in Washington, withdrawal to Toronto, return to Spain just before the US Open, everything left him to fear: Rafael Nadal confirmed on Friday that he had to put an end to his season because of the pain in his foot that has handicapped him since Roland Garros .
“Hello everyone: I wanted to tell you that unfortunately I have to put an end to my 2021 season. Honestly, I am going through a year where I have a lot more foot pain than I should”, wrote on his Twitter account the 35-year-old Spaniard, who therefore draws a line from the US Open (August 30-September 12).
The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, against the Serbian Novak Djokovic, during their semi-final of the Roland-Garros tournament, on June 11, 2021 in Paris© AFP / Archives MARTIN BUREAU
“I have to take time to resolve this problem or at least improve the situation (if I want to be able to play) the next few years”, adds the world No.4, who has only played two games since his defeat in the semi-finals at Roland Garros against Novak Djokovic in June.
He then gave up the grass season and in particular at Wimbledon, then the Olympics, before trying to return for the tour on hard in North America.
The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, after his defeat in the round of 16 against the South African LLoyd Harris, on August 5, 2021 at the Washington tournament© GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives Mitchell Layton
But, eliminated in the round of 16 in Washington at the beginning of August, he then withdrew from the Masters 1000 of Canada in Toronto, had given up on the Masters 1000 of Cincinnati and had returned to Spain, raising fears of a forfeit at the US Open where he won four of his twenty Grand Slam titles (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019).
“Need some time”
“It’s a year where I’ve missed things that mean a lot to me like Wimbledon, the Olympics and now the US Open”, regrets the Mallorcan, stressing that he did not “Not been able this year” to train, prepare or play competitively as he is “Actually like to do it”.
The Spaniard Rafael Nadal receives treatment for his painful foot, during his semi-final against the Serbian Novak Djokovic, on June 11, 2021 at the Roland Garros tournament in Paris© AFP / Archives MARTIN BUREAU
“At the end of the day, I come to the conclusion that what I need is time to recover, change a few things, try to understand how my foot has changed lately”, he indicates, recalling that he has been dragging this injury since 2005, but that it had not prevented him until then from pursuing his sports career.
Now however, after going through a season clearly disrupted by this foot, “The time has come to make decisions and seek a little different treatment” to try to heal, he explains.
The organizers of the Australian Open quickly sent him a message of support: “Recover quickly and come back strong in 2022 Rafa”, they tweeted as if they already feared the absence of their 2009 winner next January.
Combat
True to himself, Nadal however immediately promised to throw all his strength into the battle against injury, as he does on the courts against his opponents.
“It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I will do everything to find the best possible form, to continue competing with the objectives that are most important to me”, he assured Friday.
The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, during his quarter-final against the German Alexander Zverev, on August 14, 2021 at the tournament in Rome© AFP/Archives ANDREAS SOLARO
“I am convinced that I can achieve this if my foot heals and, of course, with great daily effort”, he added.
“I’m going to work as much as I can to make it happen. Thank you in advance for your support, which is very important to me in these difficult times. I promise to work hard to try to continue enjoying this sport for some time to come ”, he concluded.
Switzerland’s Roger Federer, during his defeat against the Polish Hubert Hurkacz, in the quarter-final of the Wimbledon tournament, on July 7, 2021 in London© AFP/Archives Glyn KIRK
Nadal is the third leading player to end his season prematurely due to injury after five-time Flushing Medows winner Roger Federer (knee) and title holder Dominic Thiem (wrist) in New York.
The last Major of the season will therefore be deprived of Federer and Nadal for the second year in a row, opening the door a little more to a historic feat for Novak Djokovic, who will try to win the Grand Slam after winning this year the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
