Rafa retired today in his match against Andy Murray whilst trailing 3-6, 6-7, 0-3. Sadly, the knees again. I think I actually feel even worse right now than I did in the summer, and I am totally gutted for him. But the facts remain that Rafa has only been 4 months on the tour since the injury lay-off for his stomach muscle, starting with Beijing in the Asian swing ... and the knees fail him again.
What that means for him - for us - can only be conjecture at the moment. But its not good news, it is a chronic condition, and how best to handle it for him to continue playing is - at the moment - anyone's guess. I think the days of him being the Number One player are most probably over. With each Slam loss, withdrawal and retirement, he falls further behind. But he's been it, he has the trophy and does that really matter any more? Not for me.
I just hope he and Team Nadal find a way to minimise the tournaments to give the maximum rest time in between, and for him to be able to concentrate on the clay and grass court seasons where the surface is more forgiving. If it means zero points in some tournaments, so what? Would we rather have some Rafa, or no Rafa? I know what the answer is for me.
Lovely Denzy said today that she felt like the bottom had fallen out of her world today, and I get that. That is what Rafa has come to mean to us over the months and years. The excitement of seeing him play, the buzz when watching tennis again, the first guy to offer a sustained challenge to the arrogant Federer ... and all done with the utmost of charm and the utmost of grace. And best of all ... he's meant new friends.
I can't seem to find too much more to say right now as I will admit, I am worried. The official Rafa line is that he felt it go at the end of the second set, its not like it was before as its just a stabbing pain, where previously, he felt continued pain. He's to have a scan, and then we will see.
I just want our Rafa back healthy ... that's all. And I want the worry to go away ...
For now - Vamos Rafa!!! En Rafa confiamos!!!
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