"Even with 1 leg, he's still gonna try to compete" - Canadian tennis coach Rob Steckley on Rafael Nadal

Canadian tennis coach Rob Steckley lauded Rafael Nadal's never-say-die attitude on a recent podcast, highlighting how no barrier is big enough to stop the Spaniard from playing tennis.

Steckley is a former tennis pro who has also found success as a coach. He has trained and coached players like Lucie Safarova and Denis Shapovalov, among others.

Speaking on a recent episode of the tennis podcast Match Point Canada, the 42-year-old expressed his admiration at the manner in which Rafael Nadal has prolonged his career.

"Nadal, that guy's (laughs) he seems like he's falling apart but he just never leaves us," Steckley said. "When I was coaching Denis (Shapovalov), we'd always talk about when that guy was ever gonna leave tennis."

Steckley believes Rafael Nadal, who recently clinched his 21st Major, does not have anything left to prove. But according to him, the fact that the 35-year-old still leaves his heart and soul out on the court showcases his immense love for the sport and competition.

"And he's that guy that literally - there is nothing else for that guy you know. He's got the most money in the world, he's got everything," Steckley added. "And still, that guy will, even with one leg, he's still gonna try to compete and do what he does, so that's also admirable and courageous."

The Spaniard took the tennis world by storm at the start of the season, coming back from injury and COVID-19 to win his first 20 matches. He won three tournaments -- the Australian Open, Melbourne Summer Set, and the Mexican Open -- and reached the final at Indian Wells.

Rafael Nadal continues to recover from a stress fracture in his ribs

Rafael Nadal suffered a stress fracture to his ribs during the recently-concluded Indian Wells Masters while playing Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. Nadal won that match 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to progress to the finals, where he was beaten by an inspired Taylor Fritz.

The Spaniard's doctor later confirmed the diagnosis and said the World No. 3 could be out for up to six weeks.

"Mr. Rafael Nadal Parera presents, after the pertinent NMR and CT tests, a stress crack in the third left costal arch that occurred in the semifinal match on Saturday in Indian Wells. The estimated time for his return to sports activity is from four to six weeks," the doctor said.