Rafael Nadal won’t play Wimbledon under anaesthetic

Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal gestures during a match

Rafael Nadal is recovering at home after the first round of treatment for the chronic foot complaint that has plagued his efforts to close out his career in style.

Nadal’s camp have revealed that he has left the hospital and is recovering at home.

Depending on how he responds to the treatment Nadal may need another round of treatment later this week.

“Rafa is already at home and will spend three or four days doing normal, maintaining, physical activity,” a spokesman told AFP.

“Depending on the effect of the treatment, and as long as it’s positive, he will later return to training on the court.

“We don’t rule out a second treatment being carried out in the next week.”

Nadal recently revealed that he has been suffering with Mueller-Weiss syndrome, a rare degenerative condition that has left him with chronic pain.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner completed his 14th French Open title win with his foot effectively numbed by anaesthetic injections.

Nadal insists he will not repeat his extraordinary effort at Wimbledon if he has to use the same regime.

He said he would consider playing if he required standard anti-inflammatory injections but would not play with the level of pain management required during his French Open run.

When asked about his chances of playing at Wimbledon, which starts in the last week of June, Nadal said: “I will be there if my body allows it. Wimbledon is a priority, the Grand Slams are a priority.

“Playing it with anti-inflammatories, yes; with anaesthesia injections, no.”

Nadal heads into the third Grand Slam in position to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Majors in a calendar year.

He is, however, content just to be able to turn up at SW19 and possibly Flushing Meadow after that.

“It’s crazy, even if I was in perfect shape I think,” he told the ATP.

“Nobody has done it since Rod Laver. Djokovic came closest last year. More than winning the Grand Slam, I would be content to play in all four.”

Rafael Nadal

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