Former Cyclist Explains Why Rafael Nadal is ‘Not a Good Example’ for Young Athletes

According to Rafael Nadal, he is not a “winner” but a “competitor,” and the thing that motivated him always was his “desire to keep fighting“. Known for his never-give-up attitude while competing, Nadal, although, should be considered an idol when it comes to his formidable work ethic, is not at all a good example for the way he treated his body, according to French former professional cyclist Jerome Pineau.

That desire to keep fighting made him a 22-time Grand Slam champion, with his titles also including a record 14 French Open titles. But apart from his rivals, Nadal, whose career spanned over two decades, also battled with injuries.

On many occasions, he pushed through chronic injuries until he couldn’t do it anymore. According to Pineau, had Nadal been a cyclist, he would have been harshly criticized for his frequent use of painkillers.

No, Nadal is not a good example for young athletes. I’ll just say that, in what he does, what he says, if he’s a cyclist, he’s condemned for having played while using painkillers. The rules aren’t the same for everyone.

Jerome Pineau told RMC Sports

The culmination of these injuries, including Mueller-Weiss syndrome and a hip injury, saw him hang up his racket at the 2024 Davis Cup.

Obviously, in terms of resilience, talent, and work ethic, there’s no problem; he’s an example. However, he can’t be an example when it comes to not listening to his body, pushing himself further into pain, creating new ailments to treat a long-standing problem. I’m one of those who say to myself: ‘I play sports at a very high level, but if I have a problem, I get treatment, I stop, and I start again when I’m healed.’

Jerome Pineau added

According to Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, the 40-year-old has been “living with pain and painkillers since 2005“. It was in 2005 that Nadal lifted his career’s first Major at the French Open, and it was in this tournament in 2022 that he won a Major for the last time in his career.

Rafael Nadal recalls one of the most emotional Grand Slam win of his career

Back in 2008, Rafael Nadal reached his third consecutive Wimbledon final. In the previous two finals, he faced defeat at the hands of Roger Federer. Also in 2008, after winning his fourth consecutive Roland Garros title, Nadal clinched his career’s first grass-court title at the Queen’s Club Championships by defeating Novak Djokovic.

Then he entered Wimbledon. After losing two back-to-back finals in the event, it was his “huge goal” to finally win the title. But up against him was a player who was chasing his sixth consecutive title at SW19. Nadal’s opponent, obviously, was Federer.

After taking the first two sets off the Swiss maestro, Nadal, in a rain-delayed match, lost the next two. When Federer raised his level, Nadal thought it was okay for him if he ended up losing the final, but he “cannot fail mentally” and was “100% ready to fight until the end.” Nadal told BBC Sports:

It’s impossible to explain what I felt in that moment. It was a dream playing on this court. But win? I never imagined something like this. That helped me to become number one in the world, without a doubt. It helped me to keep believing in my abilities, that I can win in other places… It’s one of the most emotional matches in my career, without doubt.

Nadal won that match 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7, ending the now eight-time Wimbledon champion’s winning streak in the grass-court Major. He lifted another title in the tournament in 2010 by defeating Tomas Berdych.

Also read: Andy Murray Reveals If Serena Williams’ Comeback Tempted Him to Make Retirement U-Turn