March 2016: Tennis injury report card

Roger Federer Miami 2016
After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation on his knee, Federer was struck by illness

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal Dzumhur Miami 2016
Nadal’s form has been declining, with a series of injuries following the former No. 1

Nadal has not had the most fruitful year as far as tennis goes. Plagued by repeated calls to replace longtime coach ‘Uncle Toni,’ a move Nadal refuses to make, the former World No. 1 has of late been a shadow of his former self. At the 2016 Australian Open, a faltering Nadal, defeated by compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the first round, saw the earliest ever Grand Slam exit of his career.

He has not publicly faced a single specific injury, but appears to be singularly fatigued through tournaments. Almost losing to teenager Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells earlier in March, Nadal managed somewhat of a fight against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the tournament before crashing out.

Most recently, level at one set apiece with Bosnian ace Damir Dumhur at the Miami Open and flagging, a tired Nadal withdrew with dizziness and fatigue. With a stamina that has appeared to be waning since the beginning of the season and a stark difference from the Nadal fans have seen even as recently as a year ago, the King of Clay is constantly dealing with waning energy levels – which might be treated as a chronic injury unto themselves.

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