Rafael Nadal Wrist Injury

Today, Rafa and his team announced that they would be withdrawing from the masters tournaments ahead of the US Open. Last year Rafa won the Rogers Cup and Western and Southern Open, but this year he will not be able to defend those points. The news is both shocking and intensely disappointing for Rafa and his fans.

Rafa hurt his right wrist while practicing in Manacor, apparently on Tuesday. However, fans watching Rafa's practice sessions observe that he has only been practicing forehands this week, indicating the issue may have been caused a few days before. His right wrist is used for his two handed backhand and his ball toss, even though he plays left handed. 

Rafa's team issued a statement today.

"Unfortunately I injured my right wrist yesterday during practice and after the tests I have undergone today in Spain, including an MRI, and checking with my doctors, I will have to stay out of competition for at least 2-3 weeks. I am sorry and wish the best to the tournament and thank all of the fans for their support," said Nadal. "I'm extremely disappointed that I am unable to defend my titles and compete in Toronto and Cincinnati this year. I was looking forward to coming and playing again after my great results last year." 

Rafa travelled to Barcelona today to see his doctor, to take some scans and find out exactly what was wrong. He will wear a cast for 2-3 weeks.

He issued this statement regarding what was wrong with his right wrist: “a small disinsertion of the posterior ulnar pod” I'm no doctor, so I'm not sure what that means, but It's not good. 

However, 2-3 weeks sounds positive. Rafa told his fans on Facebook later today that he expects to compete at the US Open, so whatever the issue is, it doesn't sound serious. However, we have to stay wary as issues can develop over time, sometimes in a negative way. 

Rafa's team issued this prognosis:  “Depending on the evolution of the injury that will be carefully followed by the doctors, including M.R.I. tests, it will be decided then the return to competition, initially scheduled for the U.S. Open.”

So it seems that the team is expecting a relatively quick recovery, but are of course being cautious. You only have to look back at the knee injury, where the first cure was thought to be a few weeks of rest… that turned into 7 months. 

This injury does not bode well for the US Open. With 3 and a half weeks to go, can Rafa play without pain and to the standard he needs for a title defence? What he can do never fails to amaze me, so it's not completely out of the question just yet. Look at 2013, setbacks make him stronger, and I have no doubt that this will be the same. It's just a question of how long the recovery process will take.

Rafa fans need to stay positive about the injury, Rafa and his team will only return to tournaments once he is ready. I trust them to make the correct decision. 

When more information is released on how the injury has developed, a further decision regarding the US Open will most likely be made.


For instant updates, follow me on twitter: @rafanadaladdict