"Several doctors told me I wouldn't play again" - Rafael Nadal looks back on one of the worst moments of his legendary career

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal enjoyed an illustrious career that spanned two decades, although the former World No.1 could have seen it all evaporate before it even begun.

Nadal officially retired from tennis at the 2024 Davis Cup, ending a career that saw him capture 22 Grand Slam singles titles. Furthermore, the 38-year old broke several records in the sport, in addition to treating fans to his unique style of play that displayed his heart and impenetrable defense.

While speaking at the UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport in Madrid, the Spaniard looked back on one of the toughest moments of his career. In 2005, Nadal was diagnosed with Muller-Weiss Syndrome in his left foot, a condition that caused the fracture of his scaphoid bone. He was told he would never play tennis again by several doctors, and reflected on how his career and life would be different had he listened to their advice.

"There was no way out; several doctors told me I wouldn't play again," recalled Nadal. "I was 19... but eventually, a solution was found. Shifting the support point with a seven millimeter insole and special shoe worked... it fixed the foot, but everything else got messed up and disorganized my whole body."

Fortunately, the situation was resolved, allowing the young Spaniard to resume his calling. This would lead to Nadal joining the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as one of the greatest players of all time, and allowing the Spaniard to end his career with 92 singles ATP titles.