Rafael Nadal has amazed both fans and insiders in this first part of the season. Fresh from a 2021 with only seven official tournaments played, the Spanish champion has literally beaten the competition at the Australian Open.
In a tournament that had often been hostile to him in the past, the former ATP number 1 accomplished a feat destined to go down in history. Despite having to deal with a fractured rib and foot pain in the following months, the Majorcan won Roland Garros for the 14th time.
The 36-year-old Iberian thus hoisted himself to 22 Majors, +1 over Novak Djokovic (fresh winner at Wimbledon) and +2 over Roger Federer in the all-time ranking. The Manacor veteran had to forfeit on the eve of the Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios due to a torn abs.
Rafa should recover in time for Canada’s Masters 1000. A guest on the latest edition of the ‘Kasich and Klepper’ podcast, Andy Roddick called what Nadal is doing this year ‘crazy’
Roddick praises Rafa Nadal
“I don’t know how to predict that, I don’t know how to predict health,” Roddick said.
“I was one of the guys who said there’s no way Rafael Nadal can play as hard and as physical as he does and last past 30. So dummy me he’s still winning slams this year he’s at 22 now.” The American also went on to say that Nadal’s victory in his 14th Roland Garros title was an incredible achievement considering the Spaniard was limping during the final match.
“It’s certainly weird when real life kind of infringes on our little tennis bubble,” Roddick said. “You know it’s crazy what Rafa’s doing right now with maybe like one foot and and you know limping to 14 Roland Garros titles just it’s just crazy.”
Novak Djokovic is currently competing as a defending champion in the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. While he successfully entered the final of the tournament, one of his biggest rivals, Rafael Nadal, had to withdraw because of an unfortunate injury.
While speaking to the press before his last round clash with Australian Nick Kyrgios, Djokovic spoke about Nadal’s injury and subsequent withdrawal. He said, “Injuries are the worst enemy of every athlete. I give Nadal a lot of credit for the way he fought and won that quarterfinals match with that injury. He is the one who knows his body the best, so the decision whether to continue or not was always up to him”.
