Rafael Nadal ‘struggling to walk down stairs’ as career takes worrying toll

Injury-plagued Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who hasn’t played tennis since January, has given a concerning update about his health.

Rafael Nadal is still troubled by pain as he attempts to get back on the ATP Tour. (Photo by JAIME REINA / AFP)

Rafael Nadal has given a concerning update on his health as the tennis great continues his battle to get back on court amid speculation he may never return to professional tennis.

Nadal won the last of his 22 grand slam singles titles at last year’s French Open, but has been on a gradual decline ever since.

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His grand slam total was a record at the time, but it has since been overtaken by Novak Djokovic’s 24 major titles.

The Spaniard dealt with foot and rib injuries in recent years before he was forced to withdraw from a Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios last year with an abdominal tear.

He was under a fitness cloud before his Australian Open defence this year and was severely impacted at the tournament, losing in the fourth round to American Mackenzie McDonald.

Rafael Nadal is still troubled by pain as he attempts to get back on the ATP Tour. (Photo by JAIME REINA / AFP)

The 37-year-old has not played since, undergoing surgery while his ranking tumbled all the way down to No. 237.

Nadal has stated a number of times he does intend to get back on the circuit in 2024, when he will have an injury-protected ranking.

While many have been optimistic about him once again contending for major titles, Nadal has been far more cautious and says he is still trying to get his body in shape, including his troublesome foot.

“(The pain isn’t gone) but now it is controllable,” Nadal told Movistar+.

“There are times when the foot does not let me live in peace. It is difficult for me to even go down the stairs and that happens sometimes.

Nadal was badly hampered in this year’s Australian Open, his last grand slam tournament before taking time off and undergoing surgery. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)

“If it hurts it is difficult to be happy, my character changes when it hurts more than necessary.”

With 14 of his grand slam titles coming on the red clay at Roland Garros, many tennis pundits feel he will always be a threat at the French Open if he is healthy enough to compete.

His victory at the 2022 Australian Open also snapped a 13-year drought between wins at the season-opening slam.

Nadal was keen to set the record straight about his objectives, although the competitor in him would not shut the door completely on what he may still be able to achieve.

“Yes, I would like to play again and be competitive again,” he said.

Rafael Nadal, seen here attending a Real Madrid earlier match this month, would like to get more involved with the Spanish club in the future. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

“But the dream is not to come back and win Roland Garros or win Australia, so that people don’t get confused, right?

“I am very aware that at the time I am in my life, all that is very far away.

“And I don’t say it’s impossible because in the end I say things - I have said it a thousand times - all things in sport, they change very quickly.”

Nadal concedes he does like the idea of a “farewell tour” before his extraordinary career is said and done and will evaluate his body in another two months’ time.

By then he will know if he can start putting the work in to return to the court in time for the Australian Open in January.

Nadal’s 14 French Open titles is unlikely to ever be matched. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

He has also spoken about some of his future goals, which include the possibility of one day becoming president of Real Madrid, the football club he supports passionately.

Nadal was asked about the grand slam record in men’s tennis, which for years was a fierce battle between himself, Djokovic and original record-holder Roger Federer.

The Spaniard said Djokovic’s fitness has been a key to him taking a stranglehold on the record.

“I have been one of the most inactive players on the circuit for many years,” Nadal said. “I’ve missed four-and-a-half years of grand slams.

Rafael Nadal admitted he would like to become the president of Real Madrid one day 👀

Would you like to see him in this position? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8Om6SlXxdM

— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) September 20, 2023

Would Novak Djokovic be satisfied if he ends up sharing the men's all-time record of most Grand Slams won?

Full interview: https://t.co/GF4RJIpF4tpic.twitter.com/gm6ucf2hW0

— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 28, 2023

“That’s what the sport is all about.

“Djokovic is more successful because he has had a level of fitness and physique that has allowed him to play more than me.”

Nadal also seems at peace with the situation, something he doubts would have been the case with his Serbian rival.

“Yes, you can live frustrated with 22 grand slams, (but) Novak lives it in a more intense way.

“For him, it would have been a greater frustration not to achieve it.

“Perhaps that is why he achieved it.”