If anyone knows how hard it is to come back again and again after injury, it is Rafael Nadal. He has put his rackets away and is now retired, but he still follows sports closely and often uses his social media to send messages of support to fellow athletes.

One of them is American skier Lindsey Vonn, who, after six years in retirement, returned to prepare for the Olympics. Unfortunately, she suffered a devastating crash just 13 seconds into her downhill run. A helicopter arrived within 10 minutes to evacuate her from the course.

Just a week before the start of the Winter Olympics, Vonn ruptured her left ACL in Switzerland. She later spoke at a press conference, confirming her intention to compete, and even posted respectable times in her two training runs.

Rafa sent a message of support to Lindsey on Twitter:

Lindsey, you are a great inspiration and an example of perseverance. Stay strong and get well soon! 😘

Are you watching the Winter Olympics? It was heartbreaking to see Lindsey’s Olympic dream end this way. The latest updates say she is in stable condition after undergoing orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture in her left leg. Moments like this remind us how cruel sport can sometimes be, even to the strongest champions. Just like Rafa, we are sending her all our strength and wishing her a full and speedy recovery.