Tennis fans have been left devastated after Rafa Nadal revealed the worrying extent of a new injury suffered at Indian Wells.
The 21-time grand slam champion missed the majority of the second half of 2021 with a persistent foot injury, but roared back to his brilliant best as he won 20-straight matches to begin 2022.
However it all came undone in the Indian Wells final on Sunday as Nadal suffered a mystery chest injury and went down in straight sets to Taylor Fritz.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Nadal couldn’t hide his disappointment at the new injury concerns and the worry about what it might mean for the clay-court season and his chances of a 14th French Open title.
“Honestly, I wanted to make it perfect before clay,” Nadal said of his 20-1 start to the year that saw him win the Australian Open title and lift trophies in Melbourne and Acapulco.
“Honestly I am sad because of the way I was not able to compete.
“It is tough to have these feelings, especially every day, but in the final is very, very ugly, no?”
The oft-injured Nadal admitted he did not yet have a diagnosis of the problem that caused him to feel pain and shortness of breath.
It began late in his semi-final victory over 18-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz and he twice received treatment during his loss to Fritz on Sunday.
“I had pain, honestly,” Nadal said. “I have problem to breathe. I don’t know if it’s something on the rib, I don’t know yet.
“When I’m breathing, when I’m moving it’s like a needle all the time inside here.
