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Rafael Nadal Injury/Health Update Thread : Nadal confirmed for Viña del Mar

153K views 1K replies 248 participants last post by  Action Jackson 
#1 ·
Toni just gave an interview on Spanish radio. Said:

- Rafa's career is not in any danger. They are just being cautious.
- Rafa would like to play in Rio 2016 and hopes to compete there (again I suppose emphasising this is not some career ending injury). They all want to extend his career as much as possible and to do that they are taking the conservative approach -- "no more patches". (By this I think he is referring to earlier remarks he made about how this year they've just tried to manage injury in a piece meal way by taking time off in Miami etc. but that is not correct. He needs to wait till he is 100%.)
- It is not the same tendinitis as before, but is related to the same issue.
- Toni's been hearing that Nadal's career will be short all his life - but even if he retired now it would not have been a short career as he's played for a decade as a professional - since he was 16.

They also had some doctor on who said Nadal's tendon had degenerated and needed 3 months of rest. Given that he had most of June off, July and now August, maybe a DC return in September is not too far fetched...

Basically, as always, I think the "his career is over" brigade are going a bit far. If anything this sounds like he's learned from past mistakes and is following exactly what the doctors tell him to try and get the most from what remains of his career. Beating any of the other 3 - Andy, Roger, Nole - would have been tough at the US Open - let alone when not at full match fitness and without competitive play. If he was still suffering a bit, then better to be cautious - at this stage he needs to basically try and maximise slam chances.

As a reminder - think of the Nadal we saw at WTF 2011 - listless, passionless, bagelled by Federer. Next major tournament a few months later - few games away from winning the Australian Open. His body will always be an issue but the fire and motivation to me has been a bigger concern - at least that seems to still be there and perhaps be even stronger due to setbacks. Sounds like Rio 2016 might just be the think that keeps him going even if it seems farfetched right now that he'd be competitive in 4 years time. :lol:
 
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#1,070 ·
Yeah. those legs look anorexic. And he seems to have lost most of his ass...
 
#1,081 ·
He practised for 3 and a half hours with Joao Sousa today. Reports from site said he was hitting the ball well -- a good mood in the camp. Toni gave an interview saying Nadal has some "fear" about returning to court but that is natural. That is why he asked for his first doubles match to be before his singles so he can get a feel of the court/his game etc. It'll take some time for him to get the right rhythm but Toni is happy as they've been training well and he's not had any problems.

Given how much Nadal relies on confidence and needs matches to get that I think this South America swing to come back on tour looks more and more like a better idea. Hard courts in Australia straight away probably would have been tougher.





 
#1,086 ·
#1,089 ·
Serious question for Rafa fans. What are your expectations for the South America swing?

NB: Anyone who thinks that he is bound to win all three tournaments because they are on clay an that every other player is a mug need not bother replying.
:secret: You know that's the most likely outcome, don't you?
 
#1,087 ·
he does look like he lost some weight, good luck to him. happy for his fans, wasn't the same your without rafa.
 
#1,091 ·
More details on Nadal's Chile trip:

Rafael Nadal's presence in Chile may well be considered to be the most important visit here by a sports personality in recent years. Despite his star status, the Mallorcan has made no problems about carrying out the various activities he will have during his stay in the country, his first stop on his return to the tennis court, after seven months without playing.

"Rafa" will be arriving in Chile on February 1st, shortly before 10 am, accompanied by: his father, Sebastián; his uncle and trainer, Toni; his manager, Carlos Costa; his press agent, Benito Pérez-Barbadillo; and his physiotherapist, Rafael Maymó. From the airport at Pudahuel, he will be taken to the Palacio de La Moneda, where he will be received by the head of state Sebastián Piñera. After their meeting, he will travel to Viña del Mar, where he will be staying in the presidential suite of the hotel at the Enjoy Casino and Resort.

A press conference has been arranged for 13.30 the next day, in the Club Naval Las Salinas, immediately after the draw, which starts at 12 noon. So, the Mallorcan will not be present at the draw ceremony. It is also planned that he will have his first practice session that morning, on central court, which will be open to the public. This routine will be repeated on the following days. In any event, he will be surrounded by a large detail of security guards, uniformed and plain clothed.

On Sunday 3rd, at 9 pm, he will attend the tournament's official dinner at the house of businessman Jorge Yarur, in Reñaca. In the days that follow, the seven time Roland Garros champion will be involved in promotional activities for Cachantún (sponsor) and the VTR, while on Tuesday 5th, at 3 pm, he will sign autographs. Three hours after that, he will make his debut in the tournament, in doubles partnered by the Argentinian Juan Mónaco.

As the tournament progresses, it is also expected that other activities will be added, like visits to hospitals and tennis clinics for children at social risk. "I think for sure we're going to be able to count on Rafael's presence at sports clinics and also at centres and places where people don't have it so good, like, for example, hospitals," Viña del Mar councillor Andrés Celis advanced.

Visit from his Chilean family

While he is in Viña del Mar, the Mallorcan will be visited by his Chilean family. "They are relatives on my father's side, who left Mallorca for Chile many years ago," said Toni Nadal. In fact, the player's coach confirmed that his nephew was going to be able to meet them. "They wrote me a letter saying they would be coming to visit us," he added.

On the other hand, the municipality of Viña del Mar, the "Garden City", and the regional authorities are preparing a tribute to their famous guest. It was local councillar Celis himself who commented: "I've requested that it should be declared an illustrious visit and he'll be given a plaque to commemorate it. We are also thinking of handing over the keys of the city to him in a symbolic way, because he's someone of renowned quality. As far as I remember, no tennis player with his achievements has ever come to Viña before. Moreover, it's an opportunity that has to be taken full advantage of and he has to be made to feel as much at ease as possible."
http://www.latercera.com/noticia/de...plira-rafael-nadal-en-su-visita-a-chile.shtml

Sounds like a pretty big event! You'd hope he doesn't crash out first round for the tournament's sake... :p Hopefully this time next week we may get better practice footage to see where his level is really at. Draw matters to an extent too - could get someone like Massu in the first round.
 
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