Nadal Discusses Injuries Behind 22 Grand Slam Titles

Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, shared insights into the physical challenges he has faced throughout his tennis career in a new Netflix documentary series. He admitted that he has spent years dealing with serious injuries to remain competitive in the sport.

Nadal burst onto the scene in 2005 by winning the French Open at just 19 years old, defeating Roger Federer in the semi-finals. He has battled long-term physical issues, particularly a rare condition known as Müller-Weiss syndrome, which has caused significant foot problems.

Nadal revealed that he often played with pain, managing injuries that affected his entire body, including a destroyed tendon in his knee. In 2022, he received anesthetic injections to numb the nerves in his foot, allowing him to compete without feeling it, which led to his record 14th title at Roland Garros.

Despite the physical costs, Nadal remains motivated and passionate about the sport.