Injured Nadal

There is a time and place for every conversation. A pretty popular debate is the merits of world No. 1 and 2. We love Fed, we hate Nadal, we don’t like Roger, Rafael is the bomb. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody has a right to an opinion. I don’t really feel like discussing anybody’s opinions about Rafa and Federer tonight, not even my own! Let’s save it for later.

Another long-winded debate centers on Nadal and his body.

Woo biceps!

Sorry, just had to get that out there.

The Canadian Press printed an article about Nadal’s withdrawal from the Thailand Open in Bangkok due to an injured knee. Nothing new there really. Injuries aren’t a new look for Nadal at all. But it does, perhaps, lend merit to the discussion concerning Nadal, his style of play and how that might affect his longevity.

Whether you like Nadal or not (which we can talk about later!), you’ve got to admit the guy is fun to watch. You know how coaches will talk about a guy on the field who can make plays? He’s there go-to guy?  Nadal is a go-to guy. He’s the only one on his side of the court but he’s a playmaker. And playmakers, by nature, are just darn fun to watch. They make things happen that other people can’t. Sometimes they make things happen that really shouldn’t be happening!

Is Nadal hard on his body?  Sure. He runs balls down, he hits the ground and he usually pops up. But he is only human after all and not made of rubber. The harder you are on your body, the harder it is to maintain a high level of health. That’s what they say about drugs. Same rings true for tennis.

It’s a demanding sport. Nadal is a demanding player. Will the docs be demanding he turn in his racket to conserve his body?