French Open: 'The foot was asleep' Nadal took pain-killing injections
What's the story
Spanish ace Rafael Nadal clinched a record-extending French Open title on Sunday after beating Casper Ruud in the final. Following his win, the Spaniard revealed that he took pain-killing injections throughout the fortnight. Nadal, who secured his 22nd Grand Slam title, had suffered a foot injury ahead of Roland Garros. His injury had halted his incredible run after the Indian Wells.
Form
Nadal suffered a foot injury
Nadal has been in sublime form after his return (ATP Tour). He had contracted COVID-19 after competing in Abu Dhabi. In 2021, an untimely foot injury forced Nadal opt out of the tour. The Spaniard then made a terrific comeback, winning the Melbourne Summer Set and the Australian Open. After the Indian Wells, Nadal faced a rib injury, while his foot injury resurfaced.
Statement
Nadal had pain-killing injections
"I had been off the practice courts for a month and a half with a stress fracture on my rib, and then I had [a problem with my] foot," Nadal said after the match. "We played with no feeling in the foot, with a [pain-killing] injection on the nerve. The foot was asleep, and that's why I was able to play."
Title
Nadal won his 14th French Open title
Nadal beat Casper Ruud to win the 2022 French Open men's singles title in Paris on Sunday. Rafa claimed victory in straight sets to down an in-form Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. With this win, Rafa sealed a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title. Nadal has also won his 14th Roland Garros honor. The Spaniard became the oldest French Open champion.
Form
Nadal is 30-3 in 2022
Nadal has extended his win-loss record in 2022 to 30-3. He started by winning a trophy in Melbourne before sealing a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam crown. He won the Mexican Open. He lost in the final in Indian Wells, quarters at the Madrid Open before a second-round exit in Rome. By winning the French Open, Rafa has clinched won his fourth title this year.
Information
Nadal is 14-0 at Grand Slams in 2022
Rafa had beaten Daniil Medvedev to win the 2022 Australian Open. He came back from two sets down to defeat the Russian 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. And now, Rafa has pocketed the French Open, taking his win-loss tally to 14-0 at Slams this year.
Champion
Oldest French Open champion!
Nadal surpassed Andres Gimeno to become the oldest Roland Garros men's singles champion in history (at 36). The latter had won the title at 34 years and 10 months in 1972. Nadal, in 2022, won the trophy aged 34 years and four months. Nadal now has a 305-41 win-loss record at Grand Slams, including 112-3 in Paris.