Rafa Nadal has just won his 22nd Grand Slam, becoming one of the best tennis players in history and the absolute winner of Roland Garros. But every year he battles against hellish pains that almost have left him out of achieving such a milestone.
At Wimbledon, he suffered and stated that he almost could not continue in several matches, but his mentality is superior, and he fights hard to end up winning. His physical power is impressive, but his body is getting more and more affected every day.
Regardless of how he may finish his Wimbledon participation, it is a good idea to enter Betway India to bet on the Spaniard and what he can do for the rest of the season. There you can enter a stake, not only on tennis but also the sport of your choice, safely and securely and with the highest odds.
A never-ending pain.
In almost 20 years of his career, he has had approximately 23 serious injuries that have threatened the Spanish tennis player's adventure.
His first affectation was in 2003 when a cracked elbow that caused him to miss Roland Garros. It was the beginning of his career and although it affected his morale, he knew that in the end, it would help him overcome the injury that made him stronger.
In 2004, just as he was getting into a pretty good rhythm, he missed Roland Garros again, this time with a foot injury. He was starting to worry because he already had several chronic ailments that the doctors could not explain.
The following year was magical for Mallacorí. He won his first Slam and hung 10 titles in his personal museum, he was becoming an invincible force, but the pain did not end, that's when he was detected with the Muller-Weiss syndrome, which gave an explanation for the injuries but put at risk everything planned for his future.
What is Muller-Weiss syndrome?
Explained in crude terms to avoid an unintelligible scientific explanation, it is basically a lack of blood supply to the muscles, and the overwork to which the player is subjected causes small tears that become very painful and if left untreated can be much more serious.
Obviously, this made Rafa change the way he trained and even the way he ate. He had to make a total change in his daily routine if he wanted to compete at the highest level.
The Spaniard managed to change everything and became stronger, but the injuries did not stop. It is complicated to stop the problem that almost retired him at the age of 19. Rafa knew the injuries would not leave him alone, and yet he has pushed his body to the limit.
Injuries and more injuries
There isn't a year in which the tennis player doesn't have a serious setback. He always ends up missing a tournament because he is undergoing rehabilitation or recovery, but when he returns to play, he ends up winning something.
One of the most painful for the Spaniard was in 2012 when he ruptured a tendon on his knee at Wimbledon and was out for eight months. This year, Nadal was at an impressive level and was hoping to play in the Olympics to give Spain the gold medal. What's more, the Spanish Olympic Committee had chosen him as flag bearer because they considered that he would be the standard of an entire country and could get the gold medal. A very complicated year that could not be.
There is no part of the Spaniard's body that has not had an injury, and yet he comes back to win. His pain threshold is very high, and he has played important matches, like in 2014 at the Australian Open.
Rafa was warming up before the final against Stan Wawrinka, at that moment he felt something was wrong and his back started to hurt a lot. He could have retired because the pain was impressive, but he decided to play. Nadal gave a great match that went to 5 sets, but could not win. If he had been healthy, surely the result would have been different.
The age does matter
The Spaniard's age becomes an important factor in these cases. He is 36 years old, and the recovery time for any serious injury increases. Besides, the more time he spends away from the court, the more difficult it becomes for him to reach the same level of demand as younger players.
This year, he has suffered two major injuries and has played almost on crutches. This has not prevented his competitiveness from dropping. He won the French Open, his favourite tournament, and the Australian Open. His level is still very high, and his experience and reading of the game helps him a lot to avoid physical stress that sometimes takes its toll on him.
In Indian Wells, he had problems with a rib during the semifinals, and obviously, his performance declined, and he ended up missing the Monte Carlo tournament. An open he has won 11 times.
In Rome, his left foot kept bothering him, and he lost his Italian title when he was defeated in the third round by Denis Shapovalov.
For Wimbledon, he is playing a very good form, but he has been affected, it is known that his left foot is not at 100% and that sooner or later it can play a dirty trick on him. If there is one thing the Spaniard has, it's his competitive spirit, and he will surely play through the pain and go far on the English courts.
All that remains is to ask: How far will Nadal's physique take him? Will he play for more years?
In many sports, it has been seen that older players remain competitive and even end up as champions. Tom Brady, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema. The list is long.
Advances in sports science, and the way they eat, train and take care of their bodies have changed and guarantee athletes many more years at the top of their careers. But the pain remains the same. Will Rafa last more years in pain? Because we are sure that mentally he wants to keep winning titles. Without a doubt, Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players the world has ever seen.
Cricket fans with their bodies painted in the colours of the Indian and Pakistani national flags pose for photographs ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)
INDIA and Pakistan face off on Sunday (14) in their first T20 International in more than 15 months, a contest carrying both sporting and political weight.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has urged his players to put emotions aside after recent cross-border tensions, stressing that focus must remain on cricket.
“It’s a very sensitive issue and I’ve got no doubt the players share the compassion and feeling of the vast majority of the Indian public,” Ten Doeschate said. “But the team has to put those sentiments behind and focus on the 120 balls with bat and ball.”
The Asia Cup group-stage clash is being played under a new sports policy that allows India to face Pakistan in multinational events but not in bilateral series.
The two sides last met in June 2024. India, the reigning T20 world champions, have won 18 of their 21 matches since then and crushed hosts UAE in their opening fixture. Pakistan, under new captain Salman Ali Agha, began their campaign with a convincing win over Oman after a recent tri-series triumph in Sharjah. India began their campaign with a nine-wicket win against the UAE, bowling them out for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the target in just 27 balls last Thursday (11).
Suryakumar Yadav (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) Getty Images
With both teams likely to progress to the Super Four stage – and possibly meet again in the final on September 28– Sunday’s game is seen as the first of several high-intensity encounters.
India start as favourites, but Pakistan’s fresh line-up without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has shown promise under coach Mike Hesson.
Five match-ups to watch
Shubman Gill vs Shaheen Shah Afridi Gill, India’s vice-captain, faces Afridi for the first time in a T20 International. Afridi’s early movement remains a threat, but Gill’s strong record against left-arm seamers could make this a fascinating battle.
Jasprit Bumrah vs Saim Ayub Ayub’s fearless hitting, including his trademark ‘No Look Six’, will be tested against Bumrah’s pace and movement. How the young batter responds could shape Pakistan’s innings.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Fakhar Zaman The duel between India’s left-arm wrist-spinner and Pakistan’s aggressive opener may determine momentum. Fakhar has faced few bowlers of Kuldeep’s type in his career, making this contest especially intriguing.
Salman Ali Agha (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Abhishek Sharma vs Abrar Ahmed India’s in-form southpaw has dominated leg-spinners in recent years, scoring at a strike rate near 300. Pakistan will need to use Abrar carefully if Abhishek settles in beyond the Powerplay.
Hasan Nawaz vs Varun Chakravarthy Nawaz, Pakistan’s rising star, has a reputation for fast scoring but struggles against wrist spin. Chakravarthy’s deceptive variations may prove difficult to read.
For both sides, the game goes beyond cricket. As Doeschate said, “India do start as favourites tomorrow, but in games like this, anything can happen.”
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India began their campaign with a nine-wicket win against the UAE, bowling them out for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the target in just 27 balls on Thursday. (Photo: Getty Images)
AN INDIA-PAKISTAN cricket match always draws attention, and emotions are set to run high when the two teams meet on Sunday in the Asia Cup. The contest comes months after the neighbours engaged in a four-day military conflict in May.
Bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been suspended for years, and the arch-rivals now face each other only in multi-nation tournaments. The upcoming Group A fixture will be their first meeting since the May clashes, which nearly escalated into a full-scale war.
Political relations have worsened since then, with some former Indian cricketers calling on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to boycott the match. The boycott call has been set aside, and both teams have said they will not ease up on aggression when they meet.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha have made clear they want their teams to play hard. India, the current 20-overs world champions, are also looking to defend their Asia Cup title.
"Once the BCCI said they are aligned with the government, we are here to play," India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Friday. "Once we are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket. I personally don't think they have anything in mind apart from playing cricket and that's what we focus on."
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson also stressed focus, though he acknowledged the intensity of the occasion.
"Being part of a highly-charged event is going to be exciting," Hesson said this week.
"From my perspective ... it is about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand. That will be no different.
"We know India are obviously hugely confident and rightfully so. But we are very much focused on improving as a team day-by-day and not getting ahead of ourselves."
India look the strongest side in the eight-team event, bolstered by the return of pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah and batter Shubman Gill. They began their campaign with a nine-wicket win against the United Arab Emirates, bowling them out for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the target in just 27 balls on Thursday.
Pakistan started with a win against Oman but their batting has been inconsistent. They are without former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan but recently won a T20 tri-series in the UAE that also featured Afghanistan.
"We have been playing good cricket in the last two-three months and we just have to play good cricket," Pakistan captain Salman said on Friday. "If we can execute our plans for a long enough period, we are good enough to beat any team."
(With inputs from agencies)
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Bangladesh lost two early wickets in their chase, but Litton built a 95-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35, to take the team to 144-3 in 17.4 overs. (Photo: c
CAPTAIN Litton Das scored 59 to guide Bangladesh to a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong in their opening Asia Cup match on Thursday.
Invited to bat first in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong made 143-7 with Nizakat Khan top-scoring on 42.
Bangladesh lost two early wickets in their chase, but Litton built a 95-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35, to take the team to 144-3 in 17.4 overs. Litton reached his half-century in 33 balls before being dismissed by medium-pacer Ateeq Iqbal. Towhid then hit the winning run.
"Very important to win the first game," said Litton, who was named player of the match. "Last couple of series, we have played good cricket. But in Asia Cup, little bit of pressure comes automatically."
This was Bangladesh’s first T20 win over Hong Kong, who had beaten them in their only previous meeting in 2014.
Hong Kong suffered their second loss in Group B, which also features Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan beat Hong Kong by 94 runs in the tournament opener.
In their innings, Hong Kong lost two quick wickets before Nizakat added 41 with Zeeshan Ali, who made 30. He then put on 46 with captain Yasim Murtaza, who scored 28 off 19 balls. Murtaza was run out and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain struck twice in the next over, including Nizakat’s wicket.
"I am happy with the way our batters scored," said Murtaza. "But I will be happier if we got 160-170 plus -- that would be a different total."
Tanzim Hasan Sakib impressed with 2-21 in four overs, while Taskin Ahmed and Rishad also claimed two wickets each.
Bangladesh slipped to 47-2 in reply but Litton and Towhid steadied the chase.
Pakistan face Oman on Friday in Dubai. The Asia Cup is also a build-up to the T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka in February-March.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Kuldeep picked three wickets in one over with his left-arm wrist spin as India bowled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs after choosing to field.
KULDEEP YADAV took 4-7 as India began their Asia Cup campaign with a nine-wicket win over hosts United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday.
Kuldeep picked three wickets in one over with his left-arm wrist spin as India bowled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs after choosing to field.
India chased down the target in 4.3 overs. Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma hit 30 off 16 balls, while vice-captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20.
The bowlers set up the win for India, with medium-pacer Shivam Dube taking three wickets before Kuldeep finished the innings.
"Clinical performance from the boys," captain Suryakumar Yadav said. "Wanted good energy and attitude in the field and that carried over into the batting."
UAE opener Alishan Sharafu scored 22 off 17 balls before falling to Jasprit Bumrah. Captain Muhammad Waseem made 19 and was the only other batter to reach double figures.
Kuldeep dismissed Waseem in his second over, claiming three wickets in total in that spell. He was named player of the match and said it was the "perfect" return in his first T20 outing for India since the World Cup win in Barbados last year.
Chasing 58, world number one T20 batter Sharma attacked spinner Haider Ali for a six and a four, hitting two more sixes before being dismissed by Junaid Siddique. Gill completed the win with a boundary, while Suryakumar remained unbeaten on seven.
"We can say that they (India) are a brilliant team and are bowling really well," Waseem said. "They executed their plan for every batter. That is why they are the number one team. As a team, we have to come back stronger and we have to learn from these mistakes."
India, who won the last Asia Cup in the 50-over format in 2023, will next play Pakistan on Sunday.
(With inputs from agencies)
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England manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to England's Djed Spence before he comes on as a substitute.
TOTTENHAM Hotspur defender Djed Spence made his England debut on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim to play for the national team.
The 25-year-old came on as a substitute in the 69th minute, replacing Chelsea’s Reece James during England’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win in Belgrade.
"I was surprised because I didn't know I was the first, so it's a blessing," Spence, who was born in London, said after the match.
"It's good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing."
Spence’s debut was described as a significant moment for British Muslims, who remain under-represented in professional football despite making up 6 per cent of the UK population.
"It's a moment of celebration for British Muslims," said Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports, an organisation that supports more than 400 Muslim athletes.
"Djed has big responsibility on his shoulders - not only is he playing for England, he is playing for Muslims around the world because he is now a role model breaking a barrier."
Spence started his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Tottenham in 2022. After loans to other clubs, he became a regular in the squad and featured in their Europa League final win last season.
His selection for England is being seen as a breakthrough for Muslim players in the country.
"We just haven't had the Muslim players coming through," said Yunus Lunat, grassroots coach and former chair of the FA's race equality advisory board.
"Muslims haven't had enough opportunities or enough role models for young, aspiring players to follow. It's not particularly good that it's taken until 2025 for a Muslim to play for England."
Spence said the moment carried deep meaning for him.
"Whatever religion you believe in, just believe in God," he said.
"Days like today are special because of God, for me. I was a little bit emotional because the journey hasn't been easy. But I am officially an England player now and I am over the moon."