Rafael Nadal hints at retirement after injury problems broke out at Rome Masters | Tennis News
“Sometimes pain takes away that happiness”; Rafael Nadal has opened up about his chronic foot injury, admitting that there will be times when the level of pain outweighs his joy of playing tennis; He was kicked out of the Italian Open by Denis Shapovalov
Last Updated: May 13, 22 2:00 pm
Rafael Nadal has admitted there will be a moment “he just can’t go on” when he continues to play tennis because of chronic pain.
Nadal says he is ‘living with the injury’ as the chronic leg condition appeared to flare up again in a three-set defeat to Shapovalov at the Rome Masters.
Despite dominating in the first set, Nadal still lost with a score of 1-6 7-5 6-2.
The former world No. 1 says he intends to be fit for the French Open, which takes place on May 22, but admits he is unsure how to handle this nagging injury.
He regularly experiences pain and it affects his normal life. It was his first time at the French Open having failed to win a clay-court title during construction since 2004.
“Let’s see how long I can go on or until my head tells me otherwise because right now, I have to accept my days like this,” said Nadal.
“There will be times at first when I will ask me to stop because I can’t continue not only thinking about tennis but thinking about normal life. That’s my reality.
“With such daily pain, it’s hard for me (life). I’ve said this a few times, I play for fun and because playing makes me happy, but sometimes pain takes that happiness away.”
Swiatek continues to run impressively
Elsewhere at the Rome Masters, Iga Swiatek continued his impressive form, beating Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-1.
Swiatek’s test win extended her winning streak to 25 games, the longest streak since Serena Williams went on to hit 27 in a row in 2015.
She will now face US Open 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu, who missed the start of the season to prioritize her mental health.
Andreescu beat Croatia’s Petra Martic 6-4 6-4, while third seed Aryna Sabalenka impressed in a 6-1 6-4 win over Madrid finalist Jessica Pegula.