For Rafael Nadal, life after retirement isn’t about dwelling on the past, it’s about embracing the future with positivity. His retirement at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals was one of the most emotional moments in sports history. But the 22-time GS champion has made one thing clear: he doesn’t miss competing, at least not for now.

However, one defining aspect of his legendary career was the relentless battle with unbearable injuries. It ultimately led him to hang up his racket. And after four months into retirement, the icon has given fans a glimpse into his new life. One of his greatest joys is simply walking downstairs without any pain.

Rafa’s career was an end-to-end injury saga. Making his debut in 2001 at just 15 years old, the Spaniard encountered his first major injury in 2003 when he suffered a fall on his elbow while training in Manacor, forcing him to postpone his French Open debut. From that point on, Nadal battled injuries almost every year. In 2004, he endured a “stress fracture in his ankle”, followed by a left foot injury that caused him to miss the AO in 2005/06.

A forearm injury troubled him in 2007, while tendonitis struck twice in 2008 and 2009. He also suffered wrist injuries in 2014 and 2016, and a back injury in 2014. Another foot injury in 2021 forced him to miss both the Olympics and Wimbledon, ultimately costing him the 2021 Roland-Garros SF against Novak Djokovic.

Other than that, Nadal faced an abdominal tear in 2022 just days before Wimbledon and, in 2023, an iliopsoas muscle injury, the strongest ‘hip flexor’ in the body. Quite a long list of physical, as well as mental struggles, isn’t it? Now, finally free from the constant toll of tennis injuries, he recently shared how happy he is to be managing life without pain at home.

Speaking at the “Mundo Deportivo’s Gran Gala” in Barcelona on February 3rd, Rafael Nadal shared a crucial health update, reflecting on how he is finally living his life pain-free after retiring. “The best thing about it now is that I’m living with little pain. I’m going through a good time. Now I can go downstairs without anything hurting” he added.

However, this wasn’t the first time he opened up about his emotions while dealing with severe pain. Even something as simple as going downstairs had been a struggle for him. All those years of sliding down the clay courts finally caught up to him. But yeah, he won’t say it’s not worth it!

Rafa, who was making a comeback at the 2024 Australian Open after being sidelined for the entire 2023 season due to a hip injury following his second-round exit at the Happy Slam, had previously expressed sentiments similar to those in his Gala Day speech from Barcelona. He revealed how the pain had once kept him from living a normal life.

“There are times when the foot does not let me live in peace, it is difficult for me to even go down the stairs, and that happens sometimes. If it hurts it is difficult to be happy, my character changes when it hurts more than necessary,” he added, while taking to Movistar+. 

Rafael Nadal, whose career encompassed 83 major tournaments, 14 of which he missed, is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Alternatively, during the same gala, the Spaniard also discussed the poignant realities of post-retirement life.

Rafael Nadal shares his thoughts about life after post-retirement

The 14-time French Open winner has retired for the past three months since bidding farewell at the Davis Cup in November. However, the former World No. 1 has made only a handful of public appearances since then. One of which was at Mundo Deportivo’s “77th annual Grand Gala” on February 3rd. On Monday night, Rafa was honored with the “Extraordinary Trophy” as the renowned Spanish media outlet paid tribute to his illustrious career. And there, Nadal candidly admitted that he already felt out of practice.

“Since I retired a few months ago, I’ve been a little out of this world for a while. I’m happy. I feel happy to share this day with all of you, at this Gala surrounded by athletes,” Nadal added. Additionally, he admitted his retirement has been smooth despite facing challenges in his final years at tour.

“On a personal level I am happy and on the other hand, I am trying to adapt to what is a new facet of my life that, for the moment, I am coping very well. At the moment I do not miss the day to day, I am fine as I am. In the end, the last few years were difficult, that also helps me not to miss it so much,” he added. 

The Spaniard’s near-mandatory retirement may have unexpectedly restored his well-being. It probably eliminates the physical strain and conflict in his life. Nevertheless, as admirers of Rafael Nadal, we all hope to witness his return to the court for at least one exhibition match.  Can’t wait to see him play with the same intensity as during his professional career.