If someone had told Nadal almost two years ago that he’d be hard at work in gym in this day and age, he probably wouldn’t have believed them.
In January 2022, news of Nadal not being a ‘gym guy’ quickly spread on the internet. At the time, Nadal attributed his physical condition to playing golf.
“I play some golf. Well, honestly, and that’s the truth. I never have been a gym guy, you know. I am not a big fan of the gym. I am more a fan of playing sports, different sports,” Nadal said during the Australia Open.
Nadal hits the gym
In his most recent Instagram post, Nadal posted a clip of himself exercising at the gym, his focus at its peak, and visibly sweating.
The snippet was quickly shared on X, where a lot of fans were revved up at the sight of the Spanish tennis icon warming up for 2024.
VAMOS @RafaelNadal‼️ 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/QNRevJDbtt
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) November 14, 2023
Everyone stop what you are doing, 2024 is going to be Nadals year I think he could well win every major because just look at how big his muscles are! 😮 https://t.co/l1YAZZqMtv
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) November 13, 2023
Earlier this year, Nadal declared that 2024 would be his last year in sports.
“My idea is to retire next year and play and enjoy the most important tournaments of my career. It could be a goal to reach the Davis Cup finals at the end of the year,” said Nadal via Marca.com.
Nadal’s last appearance
The world last saw Nadal play at the Australian Open 2023, where he suffered a second-round loss to American Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena.
According to Tennis.com, during that time, Nadal was suffering from left-hip discomfort, which hindered his performance and eventually cost him the encounter. At one point, Nadal even called for a medical time-out.
A day after his devastating loss, Nadal relayed the sad news that, upon medical examination, he discovered that he had been suffering from a grade two injury in the Iliacus Psoas of his left leg. At that time, the Spanish player said that the recovery time would be 6-8 weeks.
Buenas tardes. He realizado pruebas médicas tras la derrota en el día de ayer. La resonancia magnética muestra una lesión grado 2 en el Psoas Iliaco de su pierna izquierda. Ahora toca reposo deportivo y fisioterapia anti inflamatoria. Tiempo normal de recuperación 6 a 8 semanas. pic.twitter.com/xwcKSyTzhp
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 19, 2023
However, a few months passed, and no Nadal was sighted. In May, Nadal announced that he would be opting out of the French Open and that he would be retiring in 2024.
Cover Photo: IG