Yesterday (24th October) marked the end of Rafa's 2014 season. He lost to Borna Coric 6-2 7-6 in the quarterfinals of Basel. Rafa was playing very out of sorts, he produced huge amounts of errors, and it definitely wasn't like Rafa Nadal out there… He fought on as much as he could, of course, but in the end his body wasn't going to let him win.
Earlier in the month when he was first diagnosed with appendicitis, he took a harsh course of antibiotics to reduce the symptoms and try to put back surgery. These stopped pain for a few weeks, but made him tired and weak. He said he got tired very easily and therefore could not play to the intensity he would have liked to.
He played well in Basel up to the QF, producing good wins. It's always hard with Rafa because we often don't know what's going on. He doesn't like to talk about his health very much, but in reality is he's been struggling the last 4-5 months.
In a press conference after the match yesterday he talked about his loss and plans for the rest of the year. He had already announced withdrawal from the Paris Masters earlier, but now confirmed he would also miss the ATP World Tour Finals in London. He officially announced the close of his 2014 season.
Rafa said that he would have treatment on his back for a few days, as it had not been 100% since Melbourne. He will have his appendix finally taken out in surgery on November 3rd. Rafa will rest for 5 weeks before practicing again.
That's a lot of information all at once, and it obviously confirms to us that Rafa had been struggling with his back the whole year, which is very sad to hear.
It will be January 2015 when we next see Rafa play tennis competitively. It's yet again another long wait to get through.
However, I am delighted Rafa is finally taking action to sort his health out, I believe that after a couple of months of recovery he will be raring to go and be back better than ever.
Goodbye 2014, you've been… a roller coaster.
Bring it on, 2015.
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