Interesting video of Rafael Nadal training recently in Manacor, where he is recovering from an abdominal injury
A little google translate action on the subtitles reveals that the abs are healed but Rafa needs to do some serious work on his serve:
“Rafa is recovered from his abdominal fissure, but now it is like starting from zero, the injury forced him to change the serve so as not to stress the abdominals”
You can see that he and Uncle Toni are working on his service motion in the video. (Can a Spanish speaker confirm – is the issue that Rafa needs a new serve to spare the abs from further harm, or is the issue that the painful ab injury made him serve funny and now he needs to find his old form again?)
Pending a medical exam on Wednesday, it’s looking likely that Rafa will be traveling to Beijing to take part in next week’s China Open. ***UPDATE*** The AP reports that the medical examination has cleared Nadal to resume playing. Click here to read more.****
Rafa says he’s also hopeful to play in the Davis Cup final, which will be held in Spain this December:
” ‘Davis Cup is an important goal, this year I played the first round, then I’ve been unlucky and I couldn’t be in the next two rounds. I hope to be in the final and help win it again.’ “ (via google translate)
What’s up with everyone having service issues, lately? Wonder if Maria and Ana can borrow Uncle Toni if things work out for Rafa.
***FINAL UPDATE*** Via Nadal’s website on Wednesday:
“Based on the medical tests done today in Barcelona, Rafa Nadal will return to competition next week. After long hours of tedious exams, it was concluded that Rafa is physically fit for competition.
He will travel tomorrow (Thursday) to Pekin where he will begin the end of the season, followed by Shanghai, Paris-Bercy, the Masters in London and finally, the final of the Davis Cup.”
Tags: ATP, China Open, Nadal, tennis, Video of the Day
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Hi freakyfrites!
As the video is in Català, I just fully understand what is subtitled and a little bit of what it's said… and what I can imply from it is that the actually needs a new serve to avoid stressing his abdominals.
The newsreader says something about Rafa working in his serve as a beginner in his first lesson to get used to the new movement. He tried the new serve during the training, and with practice he will be able to do it better.
Do you guys also see him a bit discouraged for the rest of the season?
Thank you for that! I'm very surprised to hear that the serve needs to be completely retooled – that's kind of a major change to be making. But I guess if it keeps him healthy, that's the key.
I don't know if he's discouraged. . .he definitely is looking forward to Davis Cup. Maybe that's enough to keep him positive?
He is saying that the abdominal injury is practically cured but he had to do that different serve so he won't bother his injury????
He said that he was practicing the serve to see how it feels and he says that is feeling good.
At this time he is not sure he will be going to China, he will go to the doctor today to have the OK to go ahead, but he is saying in the video that he believes he is going…
Thanks ranjolie!
I know he's not actually licking his racket.
BUT ZOMG HE'S TOTALLY LICKING IT!
That image is going to keep me in my happy place the rest of the day. That and his hair, which is lovely. As is the rest of him.
HA! I know – what the heck was he doing? Maybe blowing some of the ball fluff off. He looked like a cat giving himself a bath. . .
He's probably blowing the paint dry on the strings. I think they are painted to get those black stripes.
HA! Yes, your explanation makes more sense than my "he's giving his racquet a bath" one.
It make make more sense, but it's not as fun.
He looks soooo young in that clip! And what lovely teeth!
First Tommy, then Rafa; freaky with these videos you are really spoiling us!
Rafa's body is just falling apart now. It seems everything he does well is damaging his physical form
According to CBS Sports, Nadal's camp or Nadal himself send an e-mail saying that he got medical clearance to go back to play, that the injury is completely healed and he will start playing next week in China.
i actually wish he would wait one more tournament. he's so hard on his body, i hope he's not rushing.
Thank god for that!! I don't like the sound of the serve problems though, last year Rafa's serve was what really made the difference in his matches , gave him confidence.
These injury issues are a pain, I really want to see Rafa find his groove again!!!