© Getty Images Sport – Ryan Pierse
Coach Carlos Moya thinks Rafael Nadal did something absolutely extraordinary and unique in winning the 2022 French Open in such conditions. Last year, Nadal missed the start of the clay season due to a rib injury. When Nadal returned to action, he started dealing with foot issues caused by his Mueller-Weiss syndrome.
Just 10 days before the start of the 2022 French Open, Nadal lost early at the Rome Masters against Denis Shapovalov, in a match in which he was evidently struggling a lot with a foot issue. Nadal, whose French Open participation was in doubt, eventually managed to play at Roland Garros and win the title.
But for two weeks straight, Nadal was taking an injection into his foot every couple of hours and also taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories. “I don’t know if in the history of tennis there is any player who has won a Grand Slam in the conditions in which Rafa was at Roland Garros,” Moya told ATP Tour Espanol.
What Nadal said after his 2022 French Open win?
After beating Casper Ruud for his 14th French Open title, Nadal said he played “in extreme conditions” for two weeks. “I was able to play during these two weeks with extreme conditions, no? I have been playing with injections on the nerves to sleep the foot, and that’s why I was able to play during these two weeks, no, because I have no feelings on my foot, because my doctor was able to put anesthetic injections on the nerves.
That takes out the feeling on my foot,” Nadal said after his French Open win. Also, Nadal admitted there were some “emotional and unexpected victories.” “So, yeah, have been emotional victories, without a doubt, unexpected in some way.
Yeah, very happy, no? Have been a great two weeks, honestly, no? I played since the beginning, improving every day. Finishing playing a good final, no? Super happy and can’t thank enough everybody for the support since the first day that I get here, no? Yeah. Very emotional,” Nadal said.
