"I think it's 2 or 3 sessions and Rafa will be delighted, he will live painlessly for a while" -  Francisco Roig on Rafael Nadal's foot treatment

Francis Roig gives an insight into Nadal's foot injury
Francis Roig gives an insight into Nadal's foot injury

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal won his 14th French Open title and 22nd Grand Slam on Sunday while nursing a long-standing foot injury. The injury has worsened over time and the Spaniard aggravated it during his loss to Denis Shapovalov in the last 16 of the Italian Open.

Former tennis player Francisco Roig, who is part of Rafael Nadal's coaching staff, spoke about the Spaniard's situation in an interview with Noticias. He explained that cold conditions worsened the injury and also shed light on the new treatment Nadal will need to try to ease the pain in his foot.

Roig suggested that two or three sessions of the new treatment, commonly known as radio frequency ablation, will help the Spaniard live pain-free for a while.

"Rafa's problems worsen with the cold. But she (doctor) hopes the new pain relief treatment will work. We will have to wait. I think it's 2 or 3 sessions and Rafa will be delighted, so will we. He will live painlessly for a while," Roig said.

Roig has been an integral part of Nadal's camp since 2005 and has seen the Spaniard conquer the sport while playing through the pain of his chronic foot condition. Roig also spoke about how the injury worsened during the pandemic due to lack of activity.

"We were locked up for a while and not exercising goes against him. Since then he has had more problems," Roig continued.

Roig also explained how Nadal has adapted his training methods due to the injury. He revealed that there have been occasions where the Spaniard has had to cut short training sessions due to pain in his foot.

"He can't train, have to train for 20 minutes and quit," Roig said.

"It's the million-dollar question" - Francisco Roig on if Rafael Nadal will play at Wimbledon this year

Nadal at the 2022 French Open - Day Fifteen
Nadal at the 2022 French Open - Day Fifteen

There was an air of uncertainty about Rafael Nadal heading into the French Open. However, he put to rest any doubts over his abilities by winning the tournament, beating the likes of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev en route. Nevertheless, questions will persist going into Wimbledon.

Francisco Roig could not provide a concrete update on the Spaniard's participation in the grasscourt season.

"It's the million-dollar question and hopefully it will last many more seasons, but age is age," Roig said.

After the French Open final, Rafael Nadal revealed that he will not take injections to play through the pain at Wimbledon and will only participate if he recovers adequately from the foot injury.

The Spaniard has won the tournament twice, in 2008 and 2010, and despite the tournament not carrying any points this year, Nadal will be keen to add another Major to his tally.

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

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