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Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘I think it’s something that goes to the background’

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Rafael Nadal has been dealing with a foot injury for nearly two decades. The Spaniard has learned to live with her over the years, although he has bothered her a lot in the last two years. Nadal needed injections to withstand the efforts at Roland Garros and win the 22nd Major title this June.

Rafa’s left foot problems began in Madrid 2005, when he broke it in that epic final against Ivan Ljubicic. The youngster finished and won the match, though it cost him dearly as he had to withdraw from his first ATP Finals a couple of weeks later.

Rafa arrived in Shanghai hoping that his foot would hold up in matches and give him a chance to be competitive. Instead, he felt the pain again and doctors advised him not to attend the event and end the season. After a titanic battle, Rafa beat Iván 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and 7-6 after three hours and 53 minutes in the Madrid final, starring in one of his most impressive comebacks for one of the proudest moments of his young career.

Driven by adrenaline, the Spaniard endured the pain but was barely able to get up the next day. Ljubicic played at a high level in the first two sets, dominating the serve and the return and getting closer to the goal and the first Masters 1000 title.

Nadal rallied in the third set and broke Ljubicic in the fourth game to build momentum. The Spaniard avoided break points in crucial moments to clinch the set and start his comeback. Ivan lost the lead in those moments, and Rafa broke him in the third game of the fourth set with a forehand winner to boost his confidence.

The home favorite saved a break point in game six and hit a service winner to create a 4-2 gap. Serving in game 10, Rafa held 30 to send the thrilling match into the final before the Spanish crowd. A fantastic volley winner gave Ljubicic two break points in the second game of the final set, and he took the lead after Nadal’s terrible backhand.

The Spaniard broke again immediately after the Croat’s double fault.

Rafa Nadal is a 22-time Major winner

Rafael Nadal reckons it’s more important to create a legacy by leaving behind good memories rather than being called the best player of all time.

Widely regarded as one of the best players in the sport’s history, Nadal says that he’s more interested in leaving behind good memories of himself by treating everyone with respect and affection. “I don’t think about it (being the best player).

I think it’s something that goes to the background. The important legacy is that all the people I have lived with during these 20 years of my career have a good human memory of me. After all, the personal issue, education, respect and affection with which you can treating people is above the professional issue, because it is what remains in time”

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