Former world No. 1 Chris Evert admits she is surprised over how Rafael Nadal’s body has held up as she thinks the Spaniard has made some adjustments which allow him to still compete at the highest possible level. Nadal was clearly hampered by a foot injury during last year’s French Open and he ended up losing in the semifinal to Novak Djokovic.
Ater the French Open, Nadal skipped Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics. Nadal returned to action in Washington – where he suffered a shock round-of-16 defeat – and called it a season shortly after. Nadal is 15-0 in 2022 as he has claimed victories at the Melbourne Summer Set, Australian Open and Acapulco.
“I am surprised his body has held up as well as it has, because of the way he plays,” Evert told Eurosport. “He has to exert more energy on the court in practice and in his matches than any other top player.
And it’s gruelling the way he competes and practices. And I think he’s made some adjustments to his practice. And I think the time off in between injuries that he’s had in the last few years has helped him to take a break.”
Evert: We all know how good Nadal’s mental game is
Nadal revealed there was time when he was unsure whether he would be able to play the Australian Open. Not that Nadal competed at the Australian Open, he won a record 21st Grand Slam title.
“It has surprised me physically, but on the other hand, it hasn’t surprised me mentally at all. Because he’s hungrier than any other athlete on this planet and he has a passion for tennis unlike any. And it shows in everything that he does.
So it doesn’t surprise me mentally.” Nadal is now aiming to put on a strong run in Indian Wells and lift his fourth title of the season.
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