Rafael Nadal has divulged what he did during his recovery period as he felt the need to disengage from everything.
The 22-time GS champion revealed – as all his fans know – how the sea has always helped him to take a refuge from the hectic life on the tour as he shared the experience of spending five weeks with his family at the sea on his exotic yacht. Nadal has not competed since sustaining a hip injury in his R2 loss against American Mackenzie McDonald at the AO in January.
The Mallorcan underwent a surgery on the injured hip muscles in June – having initially expected to be out for 6-8 weeks – has not returned to the tour since. The 14-time Roland Garros champion was forced to pull out of his beloved clay-court season and he is currently recovering from the physical issues to make a return to the tour for one last time in 2024 Talking to Movistar+, Nadal explained how he felt he had to disconnect from everything during his lengthy spell on the sidelines in the 2023 season.
“The sea has always been my escape, even if it was always for three or four days, and this time it is for five weeks. I knew I would be okay, but my family had to be okay too, and that’s what happened.
“I was able to enjoy it, not be too attached to my cell phone or the television, follow the news, but it didn’t go any further. I tried to disconnect in every way possible. I watched very little tennis.”
During the interview, Nadal also admitted he regrets how he has managed his body and feels his great rival Novak Djokovic’s physique and playing style have helped him be better in this regard.
“I missed four and a half years of Grand Slams due to injury, this is the reality. But that’s also sport. That’s not why I’m better than Djokovic, because I played less,” discussed Nadal.
“He had a physique and a way of playing that allowed him to compete more than me. I have no choice but to recognize this, I did what I could. Sometimes I come back and win three Grand Slams, but it’s unlikely.
“I would change many things in my life and my career. I have made wrong decisions when it comes to protecting my physique. Djokovic, he has done better because his way of playing has allowed him to play more than me. But I was wrong for thinking that my decisions were good.”
Nadal won his most recent major at the 2022 Roland Garros where he clinically defeated Casper Ruud in the championship match. The 37-year-old also triumphed at the Australian Open in 2022, where he came back from two sets down to record a marvelous win over Daniil Medvedev in a marathon final, but has sustained multiple injuries since the spring 2023.