Rafael Nadal has announced he has withdrawn from the ATP Finals due to a knee injury.
I am off, my season is finished.
I had the commitment with the event, with the city, with myself. I tried hard. I did the thing that I had to do to try to be ready to play.
But I am really not ready to play, no? I really fighted a lot during the match, but knowing that probably was a big chance to be the last match of the season. That what’s going to be.
Well, is not a decision at all. Is about the pain. I cannot hold with enough power to keep playing. I tried, but seriously was miracle to be very close in the score during the match. It really doesn’t make sense.
I knew during the match. It was a decision I took during the match. Even winning, even losing, I was going to pull out.
After the year I’ve had, I don’t deserve to feel like that on court for two more days.
I had a great season, I’m not going to cry.
I’m going to work hard… to keep being at the top and fighting for the most important things.
Thank you and Merry Christmas, everyone.
Our champ finishes the season with a 67-11 win-loss record and 6 titles.
Sources: PA, Metro, ATP World Tour
RAFAEL, SO PLEASED YOU DECIDED TO PULL OUT OF THE ATP GAMES, GO BACK HOME FOR REST AND TREATMENT FOR YOUR KNEE AND PLEASE COME BACK NEXT YEAR AGAIN TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT A GENTLEMAN YOU ARE AND THE GREATEST TENNIS PLAYER IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL TENNIS.
Oh, these injuries 🙁 I think the tennis season is far too busy nowadays… 11 months of gruelling, massive tennis with tournaments 1 week apart, or even back to back is obviously exhausting. Note that Djo, Waw and Murray didn’ t even start here. And you finished it SO HIGH, my champ <3 Rest well, get ready for AO and VAMOS FOREVER 🙂
.PS. A month's rest after Wim would dimnish this problem greatly, imo.
Solo me queda agradecerte por el fantastico ano que Dios te bendiga y es la mejor decision que haz tomado en retiraos del torneo, cuida tu rodilla para que estes listo y competitivo para el nuevo ano. Feliz navidad VAMOS RAFA
Rafa, I am so sad for you n pray you do not suffer too much pain during the treatment. I again read your book where you mention the painful treatment you went thru prior to winning Wimbledon, n that you are always n pain. I do hope you respond to the treatment n back to your best in 2018. Can’t bear the thought of Tennis without you n I am praying for a complete recovery. Please don’t return too soon. You are a Champion, a thorough gentleman on n off the Court, have the best sporting attitude n a kind n caring person. You were not your happy self when you accepted the Cup n I felt your knee was troubling you. Happy Christmas to you my dear Rafa, your family, Uncle Tony, n your Team. May you enjoy an injury free 2018 n much happiness. God bless you. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂🏆👑⛵️😄😊🎉🎉
A bit long but a good article. Please pardon the length.
Rafael Nadal: I deserved a better ending but sport does not owe anything to anyone
It is a familiar scenario Rafael Nadal knows all too well. He knows the pain, the disappointment, the surrender to circumstances that are out of his control, the right words to describe it all and the positive attitude to face it head on.
So when the world No. 1 addressed a packed interview room at the O2 Arena in London to announce he was withdrawing from the ATP Finals, it came as no surprise that Nadal was eloquent in his delivery and knew exactly what to say.
After battling through three gruelling sets, while suffering some serious pain in his injured right knee, before losing to David Goffin 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 in their ATP Finals opener on Monday, Nadal conceded that enough was enough.
“My season is finished. Yeah, I had the commitment with the event, with the city, with myself. I tried hard. I did the thing that I had to do to try to be ready to play,” said Nadal, who was carrying a knee injury that forced him to pull out of the Paris Masters less than two weeks ago.
“It’s about the pain. I cannot hold with enough power to keep playing. I tried, but seriously it was a miracle to be very close in the score during the match. It really don’t make sense.”
By now, he is an expert in accepting the reality of his body’s shortcomings.
“That’s how it works, my career, at the same time. I can’t complain,” he simply states.
“I feel very lucky about all the things that are happening to me. But on the other hand, is true that I am probably the top player that had more injuries and more troubles in the careers of everyone, no?
“Is always about this challenge. But I am used to this and I know what I have to do. I think I am ready to do it.”
Nadal knew during the match that he would never finish this tournament in London. Yet somehow he saved four match points in the second set, forced a decider, and even got one of two breaks back in that third set before he lost.
“Nadal is a unique mammal,” tweeted British doubles star Jamie Murray during the match.
We were all wondering: Why was he putting himself through this while being so evidently injured.
Ultimately he knew this was going to be his last match and he wanted to go down the only way he knows how: fighting.
He winced in pain, but roared with every break point he saved. He fell behind and stormed back. He did everything his adoring fans love to witness. Except win the match.
“Even winning, even losing, I was going to pull out because I was not enjoying on court at all. Was not fun to play like this. I really believed that I don’t deserve after this great season to spend two more days on court with this terrible feelings, no? That’s all,” he bluntly explains.
The bizarre thing is that Nadal was not too far from winning that match against Goffin. But he insists that would have never swayed his decision.
“I’m not here to have some luck to win one match. I’m here to try and win the tournament,” he told Spanish press.
I really don’t understand how one cannot see that missing the Aussie Open is terrible. If one is to miss or skip one part of the season, it should be from halfway September until December! Never miss the majors. Especially Aussie Open where Rafa does well and where the ultimate price awaits him. Sacrificing all this to compete in these knee wrecking indoor events….
I AGREE with Rainier that playing injured was his decision and we have to respect it and be positive about the future. But…i deffintly AGREE with Jean Sober too….he must be much more smarter in his scheduling, not stubborn and focus on the big picture. And I agree he has a lot to learn from Roger in that department. Slams and important 1000 masters are enough to play after 31.Nothing else. He must learn balance. His major priority for 2018 except Europian clay season with FO is AO….( this year was his best chance and he blown it unfortunately….sorry I am still bitter about).Not sure about AO 2018 tho….even if the knee recover,he will not be confident enough to BELIEVE he can win it with Djokovich coming back…and I so much want him to win that damn AO!!!!HAHAHA Not a easy feelings RIGH now for me too.But hopping for the best.Vamos.
Ps…sorry I think that was posted twice,don’t know why….
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“Nadal is sticking to his tried and tested method: work, suffer, accept, rinse, and repeat”
It’s more like – work, suffer, ACHIEVE, rinse, and repeat.
I wish people wouldn’t make Rafa out as a victim. He even does it himself at times, “I’ve had more of the things, no?”. Maybe true, and I think that’s how Rafa loses his confidence occasionally, but overall he’s escaped that mentality more often than he’s accepted it. He wouldn’t have 16 slams otherwise.
If any cycle is on repeat next year, I hope the it’s the ‘most frequently used’ setting from 2017 (hopefully a habit) – played well, stayed confident, won it 🙂 , rather than thinking of past losses/injuries/doubts – lose. It’s unfortunate Rafa’s last match of the season was a loss, but hopefully it didn’t press the vicious cycle button. Someone needs to thoroughly rinse that one, better still, erase the whole programme – Señor Moya, please??
Rafa saying, “I don’t deserve after this great season to spend two more days on court with this terrible feelings, no?” is possibly the most encouraging comment. As I think Andy’s famous on-court notes say, “1. be kind to yourself”.
“I am, of course, disappointed. But I am not going to cry. I had a great season.”
That is of course true. With two Grand Slam titles and four more trophies captured in 2017, Nadal returned to the top of the rankings and ends the year as world No. 1.
The man whose troubled knees are as famous as he is has proven once again that no injury nor setback can keep him down for too long.
The Mallorcan says he knows exactly what he needs to do to overcome this current knee problem, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to be ready for the Australian Open next January, but “with no rush”.
There was zero hint of resentment or bitterness in Nadal’s tone of voice.
“One cannot always be frustrated. I’m a positive person in general. I try not to have big celebrations when things go well, nor big dramas when things don’t go well,” he says.
“It’s not a drama. It was a dream season, and I would have paid (money) for a season like this and I’ll stick with that.
“It’s true that I don’t like finishing like this. I believe that, on the inside, I deserved a better ending but sport does not owe anything to anyone.”
In a world riddled with entitlement, Nadal is sticking to his tried and tested method: work, suffer, accept, rinse, and repeat. A new cycle begins tomorrow.
Source: sport360.com/article/tennis/255081/rafael-nadal-i-deserved-a-better-ending-but-sport-does-not-owe-anything-to-anyone
Thanks for sharing the article, Rainier. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
It was so hard to watch the match yesterday. On one hand, I wanted the match to be over quickly to end Rafa’s suffering. On the other hand, I wanted him to fight. Fight, he did! How can you not love such a fighter! Rafa, you had a spectacular year, nothing, and no one, could diminish your accomplishments! Rest and heal, we’ll be patiently waiting from your return!
Love and respect forever!
You’re welcome, YB. It brought tears to my eyes, finally. I had already knew all the quotes, but reading how the writer put them all together with narration was a different thing.
I felt exactly the same while watching the match. But if I could chose, I would chose him losing easily in short straight sets over winning after 3 hard-fought, gruelling 3-setters.
I have little doubt his knees were in much worse state than they were before the match.
Now I only hope it wasn’t that serious and he will listen to his body and only return to the tour when he’s 100%, even if it means he has to skip the AO. It’s tough, but the part of the season from the clay season to the USO is still the most important, and above all it’s his health and his confidence in his body. So fingers crossed…
You see, it’s always a roller coaster with Rafa, either during a game, match, tourney, or the seasons and many seasons.
🙂
We were there last night and Rafa was, as usual fighting right to the end. However you could see he was so tired and injured. Rafa you are a fantastic plsyer and a terrific sportsman, and I know you didn’t want to let anybody down and that is why you played here in London. Get well soon, you will always be my no.1 playe,, win or lose. Happy Christmas to you and your family and rest up for 2018
Well said Janet. How many other players would purely honour the tournament by turning up to play knowing they had an injury? He did the tournament and fans proud by his sheer presence.
It made zero sense to play Paris after what happened during the Asian tour and it made even less sense to play in London. I love Rafa and I’ll always support him but his scheduling decisions will never cease to baffle me. All I want now is for him to recover for next year.
Kath H much love Rafa, and get well soon, we can look back on the joy you have given us, all your loyal fans are rooting for you, hope all goes well, Happy Christmas , and new year too you and all your family,” Vamos “Rafa “
Sooo relieved that Rafa has decided to call off the rest of the season.
Was just too painful to watch him. Could see he was in pain at the start and then it became worse. It was heart wrenching to see that. Couldn’t even finish watching the 3rd set. Hope he hasn’t damaged his knee even more.
That he came so far was amazing!
That’s him! What a sportsman what a man!!! The world is enriched just by having Rafa in it!
Pity he was stubborn and played. But I understand!!!
Hope and pray that he recovers fully, better than ever!
God bless you my Rafa! Love you!
Take good care of yourself!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wise decision dear Rafa, get well soon 😘
Thanks and a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2018 to you, your family and team. Always with you champ #1
– You’re one of a kind ❤️🍀🎾💪🏼👑😍🤗
Jeez, seeing the press conference tells me much more than reading the transcript. This may very well be 6 months plus out. Nadal is fighting back the tears here. He may be doubting whether RG is doable. What an unfortunate decision by the entire team to go all in on the indoor season. They won the year end no. 1 and threw away the 2018 season by doing so.
What are you talking about? The knee needs time to rehab, that was the case before yesterday.
I don’t think there is any way of interpreting my comment wrongly, but apparently it is possible. Nadal and his team know for many years now that hard court, and especially the fast indoor courts, are terrible for his knees. Tennis is about the majors, especially at this stage of the Nadal career. When people mention Federer, within 3 seconds you will hear ’19’. When people say Rafa Nadal, within 3 seconds you will hear ’16’. That sums it up. And that is why Nadal should not have risked his entire 2018 season. The first six months of 2018 are super important for Rafa, as there he has the chance:
1) to win the double career grand slam, which should be his no. 1 prio at the moment
2) to win RG which is his best chance every season to win a major
3) to build the foundation for a successful US Swing. Rafa has never been good at the US Open, without playing a stellar RG. He needs the form and confidence of the Spring, to do well in the US.
This is why I conclude that post US Open 2017, his planning deserves 1 stars out of 5, instead of zero. 1 sole star awarded for clinching the year end no. 1. For which the price to be paid now turns out to be very high. Yes Debby Kleinberg. Resting those knees post US Open would have been a great prep for 2018. RF19 could tell you more about successful planning, in case of a vulnerable body.
I disagree Jean. Rafa knew at the start of the tournament that his knee wouldn’t hold up. He said that win or lose he was only going to play one match. The only reason he went ahead with playing at all was because he said he had ….”a commitment to the event, the city and (himself)”. If his knee had suddenly given way without warning, then that’s a different story and Rafa would have been devastated, but I think that he was very philosophical in his press conference and felt a sense of relief that he was finally able to end his season and get back to the serious business of rehabilitation and preparation for next season.
Are you kidding me? Since when do you have a crystal ball as to whether Rafa will be ready
for Roland Garos no less anything before it. How do you know that he “threw away” 2018…
Rafa does not take chances and neither does his team.. His playing this tournament was a joint decision with doctors, the team and Rafa and if they agreed he could play, then I’m good with that.
Rafa loves this sport more than anyone can imagine and this injury has brought him to laying down the racquet for awhile..
I wish him a speedy recovery and can’t wait for our boy to come back in 2018!
I kinda agree. Rafa should have only played shanghai and then rested his knees and skipped all other tournaments and be ready for WTF. His draw at WTF was awesome. If he was fit, he would easily gone through to the semis and the finals and given himself a chance to win it.
I agree that chasing no.1 was more important to him and to stop fed from becoming no.1. But he paid the price by damaging his knees. I would have preferred him to not chase no.1 but win the WTF title.
Get well soon champ. Always with you <3
Merry Christmas to you and your family and team.God grant you good recovery of your knee problem.Stay healthy, be strong and be happy.Have a good rest this year.Come out strong, healthy and successful in 2018.God bless you and all your loved ones.Take care.
No apologies and no regrets. Merci for a fantastic season. Get well😍👑👏💕
The season would have been even better if he’d just called it a day post US Open. 2 majors in the bag and proper preparation to go all out for the Aussie Open. This stupid Asian swing, that unneccessary Paris masters and the super unhealthy WTF have ruined it now.
Why so bitter, Jean?
It’s his body. It’s his game, career. He made his own decisions based on all those. What ever happened and will happen he lives with them, not us.
Who is any of us to say his season would have been better if this or that? Or that what have ruined what?
You may be confusing your own frustrations, based on your own thinking and expectations, with the facts that he didn’t have any regrets, that how this season is still like a dream for him, by his own admission. How meaningful it is, how hard it was, after all that happened.
No, I’m positive that he would have wanted to end this season like this, even with that injury, than to pull out after the USO.
Can’t you see? It’s in his DNA. It’s his instincts to keep fighting until he can’t anymore.
He’s not RF. He kept on saying RG’s doing it his way, and he’s doing it his own way, those multiple times they asked him.
Yes, it’s sad that he had to end his season on a sad note. But at the same time he was able to make history again – the history that there’s no guarantee he will be able to make in the future had he failed this year.
I know, most of us are always saying “His health is the most important thing”, or “Only Slams matter”.
But then again, it’s him who does everything. It’s his body, his game, his mind, his own person. Only he has any say in what is the most important or meaningful to him; what he wants to achieve, what he feels most happy about…
I agree that he’s stubborn and overestimated his chances again this time. Should have pulled out of London altogether. But the match win at Paris to clinch the YE No1, and of course all the build-up post the USO until then, I have no doubt are all worth it in his mind and that of his team.
Now I also agree with you that he might not be able to recover in time for the AO18. Also there’s a risk he might rush it again since it’s a slam, not to mention he always needs to play warmup events before slams – it might be very well a vicious circle to him once again.
But I think there’s no point in only thinking about all the worsts at the moment IMO. It’s the time to reflect his whole season, which is still incredible overall, and wish him a speedy recovery.
Worry about his knees and 2018 season, yes. But don’t put him and his 2017 season down just because of what happened since the Shanghai (or in your case, the whole “stupid Asian swing”).
I’m very worried for him as well and always a more practical and critical fan. But I’ll wait and wait and don’t call anything just yet, especially at this time, especially things like he definitely needs 6 months to recover, at least out of respect for him and his team.
Rainier, it’s not about me being bitter and about focusing on the messenger. Reflecting on the season is done post US Open. That is when the top players know what kind of season they had. The rest is ‘bonus’ and can be skipped if health risks are involved. Rafa did not play this smartly. It is once again a pity to see him harm his own chances of peaking when it matters most. For it is clear that he is able to do so. If only he planned better.
I AGREE with Rainier that playing injured was his decision and we have to respect it and be positive about the future. But…i deffintly AGREE with Jean Sober too….he must be much more smarter in his scheduling, not stubborn and focus on the big picture. And I agree he has a lot to learn from Roger in that department. Slams and important 1000 masters are enough to play after 31.Nothing else. He must learn balance. His major priority for 2018 except Europian clay season with FO is AO….( this year was his best chance and he blown it unfortunately….sorry I am still bitter about).Not sure about AO 2018 tho….even if the knee recover,he will not be confident enough to BELIEVE he can win it with Djokovich coming back…and I so much want him to win that damn AO!!!!HAHAHA Not a easy feelings RIGH now for me too.But hopping for the best.Vamos.
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Jean, you may not recognise it, but you definitely sound bitter and negative at least to me.
Jean Sober
“This stupid Asian swing”
“Rafa should quit each season right after us open from now on.”
“6 months, mark my words.”
“… have ruined it”
Etc.
Yes. I’ll wait to see how Rafa will be doing in 6 months. It’s a thing to be practical and reflect on his season. It’s another thing to only focus on the all the negative and talk gloom and doom like what you’ve been saying. You’re not the only one who’s reflecting and being practical. Also maybe it’s not totally your point but your tone that feels off-putting and a bit arrogant.
“The pathetic dislikers of posts that are realistic really don’t get it don’t they. Millennials maybe?”
Plus, if you met Rafa right now, would you be willing to tell all those things above to him?
Also this:
“He may be doubting whether RG is doable.”
“They won the year end no. 1 and threw away the 2018 season by doing so.”
I don’t like to say this one bit, but really, you didn’t even say “probably threw away the 2018 season”. You said it in an absolute sense, and called it “being realistic”.
No, sorry, you’re being frustrated, bitter and pessimistic. Practical, yes. Doesn’t mean you must be right and others who don’t agree with you are “pathetic”.
Rainier, you are a mainstream type and politically correct. We don’t match very well. And fyi: politically correct think they are tolerant but they are not.
Rainier, thanks for the typical policor approach, presenting yourself as the ‘reasonable’ type, slamming not only the opinions that you don’t like (‘too polarising!’) but, of course, same style as we always see in the ‘tolerant’ type: going ad hominem. Freedom of speech, but not for the ones whose opinion is too much different. On topic, we’ll meet again on this board come January when Nadal pulls out, and you’ll be ‘shocked’. I am sure you will then think back with pleasure of the Asian Swing. That Bejing title is in the bag, that’s what matters, right?. Who cares about Australian Open. It’s just another major.
Merry Christmas Rafa and May the New Year
be filled with good health and happiness
for you.
Sigh! So it was right not to take part in this tournament!
Yesterday, Rafa’s knee is seriously damaged. He couldn’t even bend his knee for a buggy whip forehand which is his trademark shot. Instead he was forced to make many flat forehands causing many unforced errors.
Don’t care about the result. I am kinda disappointed by his action again. Now i highly doubt that he wouldn’t take part in Australian Open 2018 since the knee injury takes a long period of time ( could be 6 months) to be FULLY recovered.
Six months who said that?..
Rafa should quit each season right after us open from now on.
Amberoxxx. Nadal saying ‘I know what I need to do to recover and I know what it takes (he means also timewise). I don’t about you, but I have been following the Nadal career for a while and I remember the 2009 and 2012 knee injuries and the time it took to recover. 6 months, mark my words.
@Jean Sober: I agree with you. The knee injury has been following Rafa from time to time and it usually takes for a very long long time.
I know some so-called Rafans here often dislikes any negative comments even it’s true. Last year i said that he needs a new coach to find back his rhythm but many persons disagree, especially a fruit cake named Margo. Now look what happen when Moya came huh?
First thing we know for sure is that Rafa will have less time for practice than before. He should have skipped the tournament right after his match with Chung when he felt his right knee wasn’t ok. No disrespect to Rafa’s medical team but it’s not the first time they make a wrong diagnosis.
They said the same after Madrid Open 2016, Rafa continues to play through pain at Rome and we all know what happened later.
It’s ideal to rest and have an intense off season with Moya and Roig to cover his weaknesses in serving and returning of serve for the best chance at Melbourne.
Now even if Rafa could heal his right knee on time, i am not sure he has the chance to be “competive” for AO next year especially, he doesn’t have time to practice a new game plan to attack Federer’s backhand and a fully fit Djokovic is coming back very soon.
You have had a wonderful season Rafa. Most important is to take care of yourself. Have a good rest and take good care of your knees. Wishing you Merry Xmas and All the Best for year 2018.
Love from Mauritius
You gave your all….and it was appreciated by all of us! Enjoyed all of your games! Best of recovery for your knee!!!
Dear Rafa,
I’m sorry to hear you have an injury, and I’ll miss seeing you play for a while.
You should know that, regardless of whether you win or lose, I and my family/friends hold you in the highest regard. Your indomitable will to win, your work ethic and your obvious strong feelings for family, friends and country makes you a remarkable champion.
I look forward to seeing you play in the future.
Most Sincerely,
Arline Ostolaza
>
Genuine guy rest and relax Rafael come back stronger
Rafa I’m sorry .please get healthy and rest.your fans love you .vamosssssssss 🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍🇺🇸❤️😘❤️🇺🇸
Rafa, thank you for a great season. You are so fun to watch play, you play with so much heart. You just get well, that is the most important thing. There will be other matches if you take care of your health. We love you amazing young man.
Rafa you certainly tried so hard,
so time for rest now and getting your knee attended to by the Specialists.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
On my way home from the O2 now
Rafa made a titanic effort which the crowd appreciated. He looked slow and tired from the start. He didn’t look surprised by the loss. Goffin played well – I hope he goes far. Rafa was so sweet and appreciative of the fans at the end – it was worth seeing just for that. Rest sweet warrior.
So happy you got to see Rafa in person and hope you enjoyed seeing him play, despite the result – not sure how I would cope with that, even though he fought hard. I’m sure the crowd would have loved that match, Rafa does so much good for tennis and obviously cares about his fans 🙂
The crowd seemed to “know” since the beginning, jas. They willed him to keep fighting. They could see it better than us who were watching at home that Rafa was clearly in pain and limping, holding his right knee, grimacing.
And he did. Despite being in so much pain and of course not enjoying the match, playing quite badly most of time, he fought and fought until the end, with a lion’s heart. Those 4 MP’s he saved, I’ll rewatch them again and again. Will make video of them. I think there’s a lot I can learn from it.
He said it all, “I tried, but seriously was miracle to be very close in the score during the match. It really doesn’t make sense.”
🙂
He elaborated quite a lot more in his interviews in Spanish. He also said his best match of the year was the AO SF against Dimitrov or the USO SF (again 🙂 ) against Del Potro, which I wholeheartedly agree.
He also said he didn’t regret any of his decisions this year. And that’s where I find “peace”. 🙂
But of course he also revealed that the decision to play London was his and part of his team didn’t want him to play. I guess one of them must be Moya. He watched the match in silence. I have to admit I looked just like him as well.
So I hope even though he doesn’t have any regrets, and this season was “much better than he could have dreamt of”, he will be more “listening” next year, listening to his body and also his team more, because simply, like Moya said, he has to.
Now I’m looking forward to the update on his rehab and those beautiful fishing “escapes” (did you read this article: boatinternational.com/luxury-yacht-life/owners-experiences/qa-on-board-with-rafael-nadal-tennis-ace-and-owner-of-beethoven–34901 ?). Hopefully he will be able to recover in time for next year.
See you guys soon. 🙂
Hi Teresa – when i saw him wave like that to the crowd, I wondered if he was saying goodbye for a while. Well now we know. Good decision and you were fortunate to see the mighty rafa fight till the end. Great stuff.
I afraid we will see him back in Monte Carlo. No Aussie Open I fear.
The pathetic dislikers of posts that are realistic really don’t get it don’t they. Millennials maybe? If recovering the knee would be so easy and not take so much time, don’t you think that after Shanghai the knee should have healed now? There were 5 weeks between the moment the injury really started to become clear (Shanghai, first matches) and yesterday. In those 5 weeks, Nadal ‘fully recovered’ according to himself and to his team. 5 weeks have gone and the knee is very bad. End of the year, which is the start of the new season, is 6 weeks away. Aussie Open starts in 2 months. How the hell do you think the coming 6 weeks are going to be enough to recover??? In the Shanghai final, the knee was better than it was yesterday, that is for sure. 5 weeks for not enough for the knee in quite bad state. You think 6 weeks will be enough for the knee in an even worse state? Rafa will skip the Aussie Open. Alas.
I AGREE with Rainier that playing injured was his decision and we have to respect it and be positive about the future. But…i deffintly AGREE with Jean Sober too….he must be much more smarter in his scheduling, not stubborn and focus on the big picture. And I agree he has a lot to learn from Roger in that department. Slams and important 1000 masters are enough to play after 31.Nothing else. He must learn balance. His major priority for 2018 except Europian clay season with FO is AO….( this year was his best chance and he blown it unfortunately….sorry I am still bitter about).Not sure about AO 2018 tho….even if the knee recover,he will not be confident enough to BELIEVE he can win it with Djokovich coming back…and I so much want him to win that damn AO!!!!HAHAHA Not a easy feelings RIGH now for me too.But hopping for the best.Vamos.
Teresa, you’ve summed up Rafa as an athlete. So competitive, so caring, so honourable. Rafa fought as hard as he could, given his injury, but we could all see that he didn’t expect to win. Rest and treatment is now the key to his recovery.