Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas are hugely passionate about playing tennis and they are more than willing to take some risks even against their doctors’ advice.
Stefanos Tsitsipas had elbow surgery in November and his doctor seriously doubted Stefanos’ chances to play the Australian Open. Eventually, Stefanos made it and he even managed to reach the semifinals in Melbourne. After beating Jannik Sinner, he commented:
“I’m pretty sure my doctor is watching right now. He has been sending me texts after every single game. We both didn’t expect for me to participate in the Australian Open. It was not part of our plan, he told me, ‘I don’t see you playing in Australia’, but I proved him wrong.”
Nadal’s foot
Nadal’s story is even more remarkable. The Spanish sensation won an amazing title at the Australian Open despite the fact that he had to undergo foot surgery a few months ago. Rafael Nadal admitted that he was not even sure he could be back to competition after the surgery. He also said that he decided to play the Australian Open just one month ago.
Rafa’s Uncle Toni, during a recent interview, revealed that in 2005 doctors said that it was impossible for Nadal to play professional tennis because of his foot issue. Indeed, after winning 21 slams, he proved them wrong.
Toni revealed that doctors said it was “practically impossible to continue playing at the highest level.”
Rafael Nadal in 2022
Ranked no.5, Nadal played his last match on the 30th of January when he defeated world no.2 Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the final in Australian Open to win his 90th career title.
Until now, during this year Rafael has managed to achieve a 10-0 win-loss record. Rafael clinched 2 titles in 2022 in Melbourne and at the Australian Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2022
Currently ranked no.4, Tsitsipas played his last match on the 28th of January when he lost to world no.2 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 in the semifinal in Australian Open (draw).
During this season the Greek has a compiled 6-2 match record. Stefanos Tsitsipas’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas squared off 9 times. Their actual record is 7-2 for Nadal. Before, the last time they squared off, Rafael Nadal won 6-4 6-7(6) 7-5 in the final in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) in April 2021.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas |
| Embed from Getty Images |
