Rafael Nadal: from giving up playing to becoming the biggest Grand Slam winner in just six months

the thrill of Rafael Nadal is that of tennis in general. The world of racket sports celebrates the 21 Grand Slams of the Spaniard after conquering the Australian Open, which makes it the most Majors-winning tennis player in history, the biggest in this sport.

And the palms are up for Rafael Nadal, since at 35 years old and with a congenital foot injury he has known how to fight wherever he has gone and in Melbourne he showed it. After six months without playing, he arrived in Australia, won the ATP 250 and was crowned at the Australian Open. Merit for a tennis player who gives everything for the sport.

In the last six months Rafael Nadal lived on everything. From the doubts of being able to continue at the high level to a contagion of coronavirus that could affect his physical condition. Despite this, he got up and in Australia showed all his greatness.

June 17 – Waives Wimbledon and Olympics

After reaching the semifinals of Roland Garros, Rafa decides to take a break after the exhausting season of clay, in which he only won in Barcelona (250) and the Rome Masters.

“The fact that there are only two weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year has not helped my body to recover from the always demanding clay court season. It has been two months of great effort and the decision I make is focused on the medium and long term”, he explained.

August 6 – reappears in Washington and falls in the second round

After two months of inactivity, he returned to play the City Open where he beat Sock but fell to Lloyd, number 50 ATP. His left foot problems were noted.

“I have had a difficult season, there have been difficult months, without much rhythm and without being able to do things that I would have liked at the training level. The foot has worked better, and that’s good news,” he explained.

August 20 – announces that he will stop competing for the rest of the season

Through a video published on his social networks, he informs that he will not compete again during the year. “I have been suffering much more than I should with my foot for a year. I need to take some time,” he said.

His injury is treated on the sole of his right foot and is called Muller-Weiss Syndrome, which is the increased distance between the inside of the foot and the ground. It drags her since 2005

September 11 – reappears on crutches for treatment in Barcelona

“I was in Barcelona with my team and the medical team to receive foot treatment that will take me a few days off and a few weeks off the track,” he posted on his social media with a photo of him leaning on crutches.

October 14 – message that worried

In a tribute ceremony at the Sant Lorrenc des Cardassar Municipality, Rafael Nadal spoke about his future and his words were not encouraging.

“I don’t know when he will play again. I want to recover to return in good condition”, said the tennis player. It had been two months without playing.

December 20- announces contagion of coronavirus

After playing against Murray and Shapovalov in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, Rafael Nadal announces positive for coronavirus.

“I am going through some unpleasant moments, but I am confident that I will improve little by little. As a consequence of the situation I have to have total flexibility with my calendar and I will analyze my options depending on my evolution”, published the Spaniard.

December 31 – Arrives in Australia

After overcoming COVID-19 and with only six days of training, he arrived in Australia to play first the ATP 250 in Melbourne and then the Australian Open. “Don’t tell anyone… I’m here,” he joked on his networks.

January 9 – Won ATP Melbourne

Five months after his last official match, Rafa reappeared with a title. He won the ATP Melbourne after beating Berankls (104 ATP), Griekspoor (65), Ruusuvuorl (95) and Cressy (112). “It is a positive start and I am satisfied. There have been many doubts and there still are, we are not going to fool ourselves. I’ve been through a lot of tough times and collecting the reward with a title is always worth it.”

January 30 – Achieves the Grand Slams record

In an epic final, he managed to come back two sets from Russian Daniil Medvedev and was crowned at the Australian Open, thus winning his 21st Grand Slam, beating the record of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

“It’s incredible to see myself here with the trophy in front of all of you because a month and a half ago I didn’t know if I would play tennis again,” he said at the award ceremony.