INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Six months ago Rafael Nadal was dependent on crutches, his left leg unable to bear weight because of a flare-up of the foot problems that have plagued him throughout his glorious career. He has been held together by tape and hope for many years, but time seemed to be running out on him as he passed 35.
He had to abbreviate his schedule in 2021, missing Wimbledon, the delayed Tokyo Olympics and the U.S. Open. He shut down his season in August. He couldn't practice consistently or well. Pain became his constant companion.
"After Roland Garros I couldn't almost walk for two weeks," he said of his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the French Open, the tournament he has won a record 13 times. "I remember not having the chance to go down the stairs normal at all."
