Rafael Nadal nearly took a break from tennis, admits

Posted : 18 December 2024

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, retired in November following Spain's loss in the Davis Cup Finals to the Netherlands. Throughout his remarkable career, the 22-time Grand Slam champion faced numerous injuries, but it was the mental challenges of the sport that became particularly difficult in the later stages of his career. Nadal spoke about this struggle during a recent interview with The Players' Tribune.

The Spanish legend admitted that, while physical pain was something he had grown accustomed to, managing the mental pressures of competitive tennis became much harder. "I went through a very difficult moment mentally a few years ago," Nadal shared. "Physical pain I was very used to, but there were times on the court when I had trouble controlling my breathing, and I couldn't play at the highest level."

He explained that the mental aspect of tennis often overshadowed the physical strain. "I don't have trouble saying it now. After all, we are human beings, not superheroes," he reflected. Nadal emphasized that even though he won numerous titles, he remained a person at the end of the day—exhausted, relieved, happy, but still human.

Nadal acknowledged that he never reached a point where he couldn’t manage his anxiety, but the mental challenges were real. "There are moments with every player when it is difficult to control your mind," he admitted. "When that happens, it’s difficult to have total control of your game." Despite these challenges, Nadal worked daily to improve his mental fortitude.

He revealed that there were times when he contemplated stepping away from tennis completely to clear his mind. "There were months when I thought about taking a complete break from tennis to cleanse my mind," he said. But instead of quitting, he pushed forward and slowly regained his confidence. "The thing that I’m most proud of is that I may have struggled, but I never quit. I always gave the maximum."

Nadal’s career was defined by iconic moments and fierce rivalries, especially with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Despite his vast experience, Nadal confessed that he still felt nervous before every match. "Honestly, I have been nervous before every match I have ever played — it never leaves you," he shared.

He described the unique sensation of stepping onto a tennis court, the nerves, adrenaline, and the challenge of facing top-level opponents. "In tennis, the difference between players is very thin, and between rivals even more," he said. "The feeling of walking out in front of a full court, the inner fire and the nerves—it's something only a few can truly understand." While retirement may change the nature of his competitive experience, Nadal remains determined to continue giving his best in any future endeavors.

Rafael Nadal nearly took a break from tennis, admits

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics