Rafael Nadal Choked on Own Saliva from Anxiety Before Seeking Mental Health Support: “I Went to a Psychiatrist”

Even the man with 22 Grand Slam titles was not immune to mental health issues. Rafael Nadal, known for his never-give-up attitude, went through a phase controlled by a high level of anxiety that he feared choking on his own saliva.

He gave an interview to Spanish outlet Marca ahead of the release of his Netflix documentary series, Rafa. During this interview, he revealed that a severe mental health issue hit him in 2015, and then he decided to seek professional help.

At a certain point, it’s one thing to lose control of my emotions or the situation on a tennis court, but it’s another thing entirely when, away from the court, I have to go out for a walk carrying a bottle of water because otherwise, I choke on my own saliva.

He was at the peak of his career, as by then he had already lifted 14 Grand Slam titles. In 2015, he dropped to the No.5 ranking spot and won just three titles, excluding a Grand Slam title. It was the first time since lifting his career’s first Major title at the 2005 French Open that Nadal ended the season without winning a Grand Slam title.

So I said, ‘Okay, I have a problem, I need to see professionals. I visited a psychologist.’ And she laid out things I already knew. It was completely rational. So I thought, ‘How can this be happening to me?’ But it was happening, it was my reality. I needed a different kind of help. So I went to a psychiatrist. He gave me a medication that allowed me to improve over the months. And that’s how it went.

Rafael Nadal added

In 2016, he did not even reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal because at the French Open, he injured his wrist. He could have completely ruptured the tendon had he continued playing.

Rafael Nadal says split with uncle Toni Nadal wasn’t pleasant

After the end of the 2016 season, Rafael Nadal added Carlos Moya to his entourage, only to find out later that his uncle and his then-coach Toni Nadal had left his team a year later. The 14-time French Open champion, in fact, had found out about Toni leaving his team at a press conference.

It was never done with the intention of Toni leaving the team. But after a while, Toni decided to step aside. It’s unbelievable. It wasn’t pleasant at the time. But that’s how it went. He didn’t change his mind. I had a conversation with him afterward, and, obviously, everything worked out as it always does. In the end, there are too many connections, too many important things we lived through together.

Rafael Nadal said during his interview with Marca

Nadal won 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles under Toni and eight under Moya. The 39-year-old and Moya parted ways in November 2024 after his career’s last match at the Davis Cup. Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Spain versus the Netherlands quarterfinals.

Many felt the retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup lacked grandeur. Nadal, who was unsure about his retirement at the 2024 French Open, was honored with a ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier in front of old foes, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. A plaque of his footprint will forever remain etched on the clay of the Philippe-Chatrier.

The last time Nadal played a final was in the 2024 Nordea Open, but he couldn’t go past Nuno Borges. At the French Open the same year, he suffered an opening-round exit, losing in straight sets to three-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev.

Also read: Jessica Pegula Slams Troll for ‘Rich Spoiled Brat’ Criticism After Buffalo Sabres’ No Goal Controversy