Rafael Nadal on crutches but he will make Wimbledon decision 'in days', says doctor
- Michael Graham
- 10 June 2022
Rafael Nadal has had treatment on his foot injury and will be able to decide if he is playing Wimbledon in a matter of days.
Rafael Nadal should know by the start of next week if he is able to compete at Wimbledon this year, his doctor has said.
Nadal struggled with his chronic foot injury at the French Open, having to take numbing injections before claiming a 14th title at Roland Garros.
That title put Nadal halfway to a calendar Grand Slam, although he was clear he would skip Wimbledon if he was unable to find a solution to his foot problem.
That solution could come in the form if radiofrequency therapy, which Nadal has already undergone in Spain.
While there is optimism the treatment will provide a solution, his doctor, Angel Ruiz Cotorro, said it was too early to make any predictions.
"What is incredible for me is how Rafa is able to adapt to play in these conditions and win Roland Garros," Cotorro said.
"If the radiofrequency works, Rafa will arrive in London in top form.
"In four days, he will stop using crutches and start training. There, we will see how he is evolving. If there is any discomfort after the treatment, we will see if he can compete at Wimbledon or not.
"We have more options left, but they are more aggressive actions and that will be considered at the time depending on how everything evolves."
Ángel Ruiz Cotorro: "Si la radiofrecuencia funciona la intención de Rafa es jugar Wimbledon"
— RTVE Deportes (@deportes_rtve) June 8, 2022
En 5 días Nadal volverá a entrenar y Cotorro asegura que, de funcionar el tratamiento, el balear llegará en plena forma a Londres
📹@elegasolina y @frobertromeohttps://t.co/N8Cy21fcak
Meanwhile, Nadal's uncle Toni, who masterminded most of the Spaniard's career, says he expects to see the 22-Grand Slam champion play at Wimbledon.
"Wimbledon starts in less than two weeks, so let's see if my nephew is there or not," Toni Nadal told Eurosport Espania. "I think that he will be and that the treatment goes well.
"He wants to take advantage of the good sporting moment that he is going through and that has led him to be the winner of the two Grand Slams."
Toni Nadal also made it very clear, though, that anything Rafael Nadal does now will be dependent upon finding a way to manage his foot problem.
"He has had to overcome many difficulties and is still there despite having already won many things and being very successful.
"Since 2005, he has been playing with a lot of pain to the point of sometimes being unable to finish a training session."
