Rafael Nadal started the year by lifting his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He returned to tennis after missing out on the second half of the 2021 season due to his chronic foot injury. The Spaniard made a great effort to win 20 straight games before injuring himself during the Indian Wells semifinals against Carlos Alcaraz. Rafa went on to play the final against Taylor Fritz. However, his rib stress fracture just ahead of the clay season resulted in a loss for Nadal.
Further, Rafa missed the early events of the clay season. His foot injury resurfaced to haunt him at the Italian Open, just ahead of the Roland Garros. The Spaniard was determined to clinch his 14th french open title while he played through the pain, relying on painkiller injections. Eventually, the world no. 4 went on to win his 22nd Grand Slam title in Paris before heading to Barcelona for a radiofrequency treatment for his foot. Nadal recovered for a few weeks in Mallorca before announcing his Wimbledon return after three years.
Nadal\’s Abdominal Injury Ends His Calendar Grand Slam Hopes
The 36-year-old reached London, intending to achieve his first Calendar Grand Slam after winning two majors in 2022. Rafa had a shaky start as he dropped two sets in six and a half-hour encounters against Fernando Cerundolo and Ricardas Berankis. However, Nadal came back stronger during the next two encounters defeating Lorenzo Sonego and Botic Van De Zandschulp in straight sets to enter the quarterfinals.
But sadly, the Spaniard suffered a 7mm abdominal tear which restricted his serving capabilities during the quarterfinal encounter against Taylor Fritz. However, he still managed to win the game and enter the semis after four hours and 20 minutes. While Nadal had no intention of giving up, the injury forced him to withdraw from the semifinals. Thus, his dream of a calendar Grand Slam ended sadly. The Spaniard would hope for a speedy recovery with the US Open coming very soon.
Meanwhile, Rafa is enjoying some quality family time with his wife and kids on his beautiful yacht in Formentera. He has taken some time off to enjoy his favorite activities, jet skiing with friends and relaxing in the sea. Meanwhile, the abdominal tear is not such a serious concern. Hence, the Spaniard is likely to start his preparation for the US Open by the end of the month. Nadal would hope to secure his 23rd Grand Slam at the US Open, scheduled to start in late August. Hopefully, the Spaniard will win in America, taking his two majors-lead back over Novak Djokovic.