Yasmina Kattou, edited by Romain Rouillard 12:21 a.m., June 06, 2022
The Spaniard won his 14th title at Roland-Garros on Sunday.
But it could be the last cup of the musketeers, lifted by the Mallorcan.
Suffering from Müller-Weiss syndrome, he is regularly confronted with violent pain in his left foot.
But what is it precisely?
It was not obvious on Sunday, during his success against Casper Ruud in the Roland-Garros final, but Rafael Nadal has suffered from an irreversible illness since he was 18 years old.
Müller-Weiss syndrome affects the bone on the inside of the foot, below the ankle.
This is what is called in medical jargon "osteonecrosis of the navicular bone".
In the most severe cases, the bone can fragment, disintegrate.
At this time, the pain becomes unbearable and the foot becomes deformed.
This pathology has five stages: the first is without symptoms, the last is severe arthrosis.
It is an incurable disease whose causes remain unknown.
To alleviate the Mallorcan's suffering, powerful anti-inflammatories are needed.
Towards early retirement?
The Spaniard also confided that without these drugs he could not walk properly.
For patients whose pain is no longer relieved, surgery is necessary.
The practice of a sport at a high level after the operation becomes almost impossible.
Moreover, the "bull of Manacor" still has doubts about his future.
At the end of his match against Casper Ruud, he declared that he "could not continue to play" under these conditions.
Understand, if no solution is found, Rafael Nadal would probably retire.