Toni talks about knees and recovery
Photo by Beth Wilson
Toni gave an interview for SER Sports today. There’s an audio file here for those who understand Mallorquí (thanks @genny_ss). David J Nadal also tweeted some quotes from the interview:
Palabras de ToniNadal a @SerdepBaleares: “Rafel está en período de recuperación.Se ha hecho un tratamiento y hay que esperar unos días
Toni Nadal: “Tenemos que esperar unos días para volver a entrenar. Volverá a hacerlo el miércoles que viene y ya veremos como va”
“Tenemos que seguir el proceso marcado por el médico. La lesión requiere reposo y eso haremos”, dice Toni Nadal a @serdepbaleares
Toni Nadal: “Nos quedaran 6 o 7 días para preparar Montecarlo. Estará recuperado del todo pero iremos un poco justos de entrenamiento”
Más de TNadal a @serdepbaleares: “El problema de Rafel no viene tanto por jugar en según que tipo de pistas.Viene por las plantillas que usa
“TNadal: “Gracias a estas plantillas solventa una problema, pero también por culpa de ellas tiene otros problemas en otras partes del cuerpo
“Esta lesión la afrontamos con tranquilidad. Sabemos que estará bien en unos días”, Toni Nadal dixit sobre lesión de @RafaelNadal
Toni Nadal: “Empieza para nosotros la parte más importante de la temporada. Es donde Rafel tiene a priori más posibilidades de ganar títulos
Toni Nadal: “Para nosotros es básico estar en perfectas condiciones ahora. Seria muy malo no estar bien en este momento”
“De aquí a hasta el final de los JJOO viene 7 torneos muy importantes y seguidos y que estar a tope”, dice Toni Nadal a @serdepbaleares
T Nadal “La exigencia no viene por defender o no puntos,viene porque es el momento donde tenemos más opciones de ganar torneos muy important
Toni Nadal: “Los problemas empezaron en Indian Wells. Sabíamos que en Miami no acabaría el torneo. Después de Tsonga tuvimos que parar”
This mangles to:
Words ToniNadal to @ SerdepBaleares: “Rafel is the recovery period. It has become a treatment and wait a few days
Toni Nadal: “We have to wait a few days to resume training. Return to it next Wednesday and we’ll see how it goes”
“We must continue the process marked by the physician. The injury requires rest and we will do,” says Toni Nadal @ serdepbaleares
Toni Nadal: “We stay 6 or 7 days to prepare for Monte Carlo. Will be fully recovered but go a fair bit of training”
More TNadal to @ serdepbaleares: “The problem comes not so much by Rafel play as what kind of tracks. Comes by using templates
“TNadal:” With these templates solves a problem, but also because of them have other problems in other parts of the body
“This injury face it calmly. We know he’ll be fine in a few days,” Toni Nadal on injury dixit @ RafaelNadal
Toni Nadal: “It starts for us the most important part of the season. It’s where Rafel is a priori more likely to win titles
Toni Nadal: “For us it is essential to be in perfect condition now. Would be very bad not to be well at this time”
“From here until the end of the Olympics is very important and 7 tournaments in a row and be on top,” says Toni Nadal @ serdepbaleares
T Nadal “The requirement is not to defend or not points, is because it is the moment where we have more chance of winning tournaments very Important
Toni Nadal: “The problems began in Indian Wells. We knew that Miami would not end the tournament. After Tsonga had to stop”
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It has to be one of these, either Rafa’s management team is too stupid or Rafa himself is too stupid.
If he is having problems in knees in Indian Wells, why do you have to play doubles on IW and Miami again..
Rafa why are you such an idiot, afer 2009 still you havent realised, he wants to play Barcelona, he can easily skip the 500-barcelona and also the Madrid which does no good due to altitude.
But he will play all and will eventually miss a GS.
It is becoming irritating to see him injured all the time, after winning 10 GS, he should realize that its not just about playing everything, its also about planning, RAFA PLEASE LEARN something from FEDERER.
Well said ! ..But maybe they are preparing an excuse for what’s to come ….what do you think ? :(
Rahul and Bogdan, what makes the two of you such experts on how he should go about things? And why such negativity? Although i do think he frets a bit much about injuries, and potential injuries, and is probably a bit too candid with the press in regard to, well, just about everything, Rafa has NEVER made excuses in regard to injury, and when it has been perceived as such, its always in regard to how the press chooses to spin it. He has been very candid in regard to how much he hates the fact that he can be perceived as such, as to where injuries were the prohibiting factor in his performance. He has always been considerably guarded when he’s asked about injuries, and the only way anyone ever knows is if he has actually having had treatment during tournaments. Otherwise, he doesn’t say a word and we only find out after the fact. He’s NEVER made injuries as an excuse. And BTW, when he’s had stretches in his career where he is fully healthy, he has proven to be virtually unbeatable.
Anyway, since you both are “experts” as to how he should go about things, and point to injuries as an excuse, i’m interested to hear Rahul’s credentials as a tennis pro, tennis coach, etc, to where we might glean a shred of credibility from your comments, and Bogdan, please give a few concrete examples as to when Rafa clearly pointed to injuries for instances where he lost, and in an instance where it wasn’t apparent that he wasn’t being treated during a match and/or tournament.
I’m all ears.
I didn’t care for bogdan’s accusation either, but please let’s not get snipey with each other.
I don’t think these comments are appropriate. I think our job as fans is to be supportive. Not negative. We never know all of circumstances that Rafa deals with.
It is not your job to tell people what is appropriate or not. If you feel a post is inappropriate, use the contact form to let me know. People are allowed to disagree with Rafa – that doesn’t mean they aren’t supporting him. At times, tough love is called for. I find the tone of rahul’s comments to be over the top and disrespectful (which – please stop that), but he’s not saying anything I haven’t heard Rafa fans (and detractors) say for years.
I agree that Rafa should skip Barcelona. I understand why he wants to play there and it does help him full-fill the 500 requirement, but I don’t think he should worry about the darn 500 requirement since the penalty (0 pointers) isn’t as harsh as the one for skipping 1000s (0 pointer + no points from best 1000). I also understand that the likelihood of him doing so is slim. Barcelona is his “home” tournament. It’s where he played when he was a tot. He feels a deep connection to it. It must have hurt like hell to skip it in 2010, but perhaps he should look at that year as an example of what happens when he does have that little bit of extra time off. If he does play it, it’s good to know that he’ll still get a week off before Madrid.
I disagree about the doubles. Doubles puts nowhere near the strain on the body that singles does (why do you think so many rec players play doubles instead of singles?) and feel it puts much less strain on his body than his average practice session. It allows him to get play on the match courts and fiddle with his game, but in a competitive fun environment that isn’t too taxing or full of pressure. I see it as a positive, not a negative at all.
As far as Rafa learning from Federer – they are different people and have different needs in order to achieve their best tennis. No two players will produce the same results if they follow the same schedule. Rafa has to do what he feels suits him and his schedule – whether we agree with it or think it’s daft.
(Oh, and to the person who submitted a comment full of insults towards rahul, that’s not the way to respond either. That’s why your comment was not approved.)
I think he could have played Barcelona in 2010 and it would have been fine. The treatments clearly work so I don’t think it will be a problem. Keep in mind some advancements have been made at the effectiveness of these treatments on the worst case scenarios, which Rafa is not even close to. Kobe Bryant had no cartilage left in his knee and it was playing last year with bone on bone. He probably would have had to retire or scale back his play without these treatments. After the treatments, he is talking about playing well into his 30s. Tennis is not nearly as demanding on the knees as basketball, so I think Rafa will only be limited what he wants to do to keep playing from a mental perspective.
But does he have a deformity in his foot that requires him to wear inserts in his shoes that throw his body out of whack? This is Rafa’s problem. In order for him to put his foot under the presser/stress that’s required to play tennis, he has to wear special supports. These supports throw off his system and put extra stress on his tendons/joints.
No, he took the right decision when he didn’t play Barcelona in 2010. The week between Monte Carlo and Roma, which Barcelona was played, was the week which Rafa did the treatment. The decision was simple: play Barcelona, or do the treatment. He picked the second, and won the Clay Slam.
.
I hope he miss Barcelona this year too. It’s possible that he didn’t said nothing yet because of troubles with the sponsors and the local public. But it woudn’t be a surprise if he skipped Barcelona again.
For sure that could be the problem Miri, he does have an ongoing problem which was originally diagnosed in 2006? and for sure this will effect his joints and body alignment.
The thing is when he skipped Barcelona in 2010, he was going to play 3 weeks in a row (MC, Barcelona, Rome) and it was too much. Now the schedule is MC-Barcelona and after a week Madrid-Rome. Even if he plays this year, it will not be 3 weeks in a row like 2009. Also in 2010 he had the treatment the week Barcelona was being played. Now, he is taking it before MC.
But i still think he should skip Barcelona, though if he doesn’t it will not be the same with 2009.
STUPID??? Seriously???? Calling him stupid for decisions he makes for his own life. This is funny.
And he irritates you???? LOL
Agree with Keith’s comments in that he’s more stubborn if anything, and for me emotionally attached to certain things/way but not stupid.
Rafa and his team have been doing this for ages, and 10 grand slams, a gold medal and DC etc prove that they’ve had success. If Rafa wants to play tennis & it makes him happy or more confident, I’m happy to watch and support him & his decision. He is the one that suffers or gains the most afterall, not us.
And Rafa’s played with pain for a large part of his life, so if he stopped every time he felt some pain, he wouldn’t be where he is now.
Been AGES since the last time seeing you here—so nice to see you again! A deja vu to see much of the same arguments people had around the 09/10 season, no?
Couldn’t agree more with your comment!
Indeed people are entitled to have and express their opinion, to like or dislike Rafa’s decisions, but to include insults such as stupid and idiot when doing so is totally out of place. We’re nobody to tell anyone what they should do but, if we’re to be consistent, this should include Rafa and his team. Being his fan gives absolutely no right on his career and/or his life.
I agree. This site is managed with openness and integrity, allowing for conflicting opinions. And, as participants we have a responsibility for expressing those opinions with respect for each other, for Rafa, and his team. How fortunate we are to have a forum for our thoughts and a supportive community for cheering our champion on! Thank you Miri.
I would like to know if it is true …..that Rafael is has been given Plasma for his knee..which I have never heard of before.
I would have giving him Steroid in the knee joint for now…to see how it goes…..on running across the court.
I wish him all the best in the coming months.
Margaret
Yes Margaret, he has had this treatment a few times. Including 2009 between Monte Carlo and Rome – reason why he missed Barcelona that year, rather than changing his routine as said at the time. Hoping the treatment will do the same trick as it did then!
Has Rafael ever thought to look at Martina natratilova serving she is a left hander may she could help him all he has to do is to ask her himself…no harm in that …I read he is having trouble
Don’t worry guys. There is a reason Kobe Bryant and others are using this treatment – to extend their careers. I see Rafa being back to his best very soon and perhaps making a run like he did in 2010, the last time he got the knee treatments done. I don’t know his doctors but apparently advances have been made in making the treatment more effective for athletes that have no cartilage left to protect their knees. Rafa just needs to rediscover the joy of playing the game and playing without worrying about his health or even winning or losing and all will be fine. Just as it was in 2010.
Playing less to diminish injury is what I would like to see too. Rafa is less stupid than stubborn. He complains about the schedule but insists on playing tournaments he can skip and exos too. So he is a bit like the animal he is often compared with, the bull. I think thats fair criticism.
I thought Rafa skipped a tourney between AO and IW giving him a full two months of rest and recovery. That sounds like a step in the right direction to me. Toni said they’re not going to push Rafa’s schedule this year. If he needs time to recover for whatever reason they’ll take it on an as needed basis. Why don’t we see how the clay season unfolds a bit before dragging out the same old cliches from years past.
One thing we need to be mindful of is that Rafa has to play a lot of tennis before he can reach his best level. He’s like a formula one car, which has to be warmed up by driving several laps around the track before it can produce its top performance. Rust from lack of play is more detrimental to the level of his game than a (manageable) injury. While a well-oiled, match-tough Rafa is a world-beater, he’s probably the worst out of the top four to shake off rust.
Bottom line, Rafa and his team know what works best for him, so we should just let them worry about what’s good/bad or him and hope for the best!
I do understand that people, me included, are emotionally invested in Rafa, but I also know I’ve got to let go. He is going to do what he is going to do, whether it is his individual choice or a consensus decision with his team. I beat my head against that wall after Wimbledon last year, and finally accepted that which I cannot change.
As long as I can watch him play, see his ads, read his FB posts, or look at current pics I’m happy. I hope that all of the above lasts a long, long time, because he is unique, I love him, and it is what it is.
Well said. We all love Nadal due to he has displayed a number of admired human qualityies. We wished him speeding recovering. We hope he do modifications of his games and avoid any futher injuries and he can extend his tennis career as long as possible. The truth is if he is not playing fans like me will not following and watch tennis much at all. I will just play tennis myself more. Best of luck Rafa! Happy Easter.
I believe Rafa and his team know very well what they are doing. l supported them making decision to leave Miami early and start with the treatment before MC. As l have read Rafa says he is doing well, treatments show positive results and now we have to wait and see how it works on the tournament.
Have a strong hope he will feel healthy and ready to start clay season.
But, whatever happens and whatever he decides he will always have my support because he is a true fighter, great champion and he is very honest about his injuries, he’s not fooling anybody and not playing mind games which are very common in sport. He is an honest guy with respectful sportsmanship, he always gives his maximum. Ok,we don’t have to agree on everything with his team but the most important things, like injury, is surely taken care of the best it can!
If now is not the time l am sure his time is coming! He already had similar situation 2009., “been there,done that” and he conquered the season 2010., he will know how to battle through this problem and make right choices for this season. I wish him to come back stronger than ever because he will be hungry to bite some trophies!
Rafa,
You and your team know what is your best position. We, your admirers, love to see you play the tennis we have never
seen before. So do it for yourself , your country,your fans and the rest of the world. Good speed. My boy.
Hey Miri.. sorry if you found my tone lil disrespectful.. I didnt mean that. Why I used “stupid” becoz It just baffles me, when after so many injuries he doesnt miss any tourneys and kills me when he retires or calls trainer in every next tournament.
It wasnt derogatory, or directed to him, it was just for the decisions taken, which I believe any rafa fan can agree or disagree with. But still If it was a strong word, m sorry again, no offense.
Also,why I compared with Federer, as Rafa mentions in his book that Roger is blessed with harmless body, and he wish he had one like that. But at this old age when Roger wants to compete at such high level, he is so good in deciding his schedule. So that was the only point, if Rafa doesnt have a body like Roger’s he can at least schedule to compete his best in imp. ones.
nobody knows rafa more than Rafa himself so we may disagree with his decisions but it’s not up to us…I love him no matter what!
Let’s go Rafa!!!!!
Love your name and your comment.
I imagine some of the negative comments were out of frustration more than disrespect. I too am frustrated whenever I hear about Rafa’s injuries or him playing in “unnecessary” tournaments.
But the truth is we don’t really know why his playing schedule is the way it is. I agree with Sammy that he seems to need a lot of playing time before he can reach his best level. And I’m sure it’s not easy to strike a balance between playing too much and risking injury and fatigue vs. not playing enough to reach your best level.
If I were in his shoes, I would just say heck with the ranking and ATP and just play few masters events just to get ready for Grand Slams and focus on Slam events only. But it’s not my decision.
It’s his life, his decision and he doesn’t owe us any explanation. As a fan, we can only hope that he tries his best when he’s on the court and he has done that magnificently time and time again.
Hello again,
Thank you for your reply, I have tendinities
In my feet and I had it that it has come down that I could not walk more ,in pain 24/7 so the pills did not help ,so now it is steroids in the feet, I was thinking is he in that pain too?
If it is …if it was me I would give my body a good rest, as he is getting older the pain will not go away…I use to play tennis 5days to 6 days a week..it started with the shoulder,the feet….may he never get it so bad..thank you for your reply I best wishes to everyone…funny I have beaten Rafael twice by the robot ….I don’t think they would let a old lady win the trip…I am a young 71 year old lady with such love for young Rafael and everyone around him…x
Well, if you win, you deserve the trip!! Hope you get it:) Thank you for sharing your story. I am a young 59, and my heart gets younger all the time…just wish the body could follow suit! Not to complain, it’s doing okay so far…
I wonder if Rafael ever reads his emails on face book, and if he send any messages to any of his fans?
Wow! Such drama unfolding, even in this forum. Yes, we all want to see him fully fit!
Not a tennis pro mind you but I am sure of two things.
1) Rafa is getting older and knows about the fear of losing (when he was younger, he never doubted himself)
2) Just needs to get that serve going again. Without which, he will go down to the big 3 and a few of the top 10. This year is the year to change things up. Serve and also a different tactic with Novak.
I think that most of his fans are frustrated because (1)why would he play Miami if he knew he couldn’t finish it because of his knees and (2)he seems to have lost some of his fire and his joy in the game. I think of the stress on his knees of that Tsonga match in the Miami quarterfinals and am astounded both at Nadal’s pain threshold and the lack of judgment of Nadal and his team to play in the first place. I can’t believe he’s playing an exhibition with Djokovic in July before the Olympics and the U.S. Open. I want to see Rafa at his competitive best always, fresh and hungry. I haven’t seen that Rafa since the 2010 U.S. Open and I miss him. Even when he won the French Open last year, his attitude seemed more like relief that exultation in victory. Much as I love to see Rafa play, I wonder if some serious time off would renew his body and restore his joy in competition and love of the game, and, in the long run, prolong his career. As all Rafa fans will attest, the longer he can play, the more we will enjoy tennis!
Congratulations on winning this tournament,you both did well it is great the Rafael have that wonderful smile back on his face again…hope his knee holds upmuchlonger got the next tournaments