Tennis Fans Show Concern for Rafael Nadal’s Muscle Loss in Recent Pic with Roger Federer – “He Looks Weak”

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met 40 times, with the former winning 24 of the matches.

Tennis Fans Show Concern for Rafael Nadal’s Muscle Loss in Recent Pic with Roger Federer – “He Looks Weak”

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer (Image via X/Rafael Nadal)

In Short
  • Rafael Nadal's recent photo with Roger Federer sparked concern among fans about his noticeable muscle loss.
  • Nadal retired in 2024 after a career-threatening hip injury sustained at the 2023 Australian Open.
  • Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated the tennis scene, winning the last nine Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal met his old foe, Roger Federer, in Madrid. Both the legends of the game called time on their respective careers. Federer was the first from the legendary Big 3 to hang up his racket. He did it at the 2022 Laver Cup after playing a doubles match with the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Nadal joined him in the retirement list in 2024. In his final match, he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinals tie between Spain and the eventual runners-up, the Netherlands, in the Davis Cup. Nadal and Federer competed against each other 40 times, with the Spaniard emerging victorious 24 times. They last met in the semifinal of the 2019 Wimbledon, which the Swiss maestro won in four sets.

The only member of the Big 3 still competing on the tour is Novak Djokovic, who played this year’s Australian Open final after defeating Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. But in the title clash, Carlos Alcaraz denied him his 25th Major.

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Fans are worried about Rafael Nadal’s health

When Rafael Nadal shared the aforementioned picture with Roger Federer, fans expressed concern about the 39-year-old’s muscle loss. Some said Nadal looks thin and frail compared to the 44-year-old. But then there were some who accused him of using steroids to build muscle during his playing days.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Image via The Players Tribune)

Check out their reactions here:

Nadal suffered from various injuries throughout his career. But it was the career-threatening hip injury he suffered at the 2023 Australian Open that ultimately led to his retirement. In a recent interview, however, Nadal admitted that he no longer misses tennis.

Rafael Nadal on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance

Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been dominating on the tour since the 2024 season. They, in fact, have lifted the last nine Grand Slam titles. Nadal, during his interview with EFE, commented on the rivalry.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (4)
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

It’s clear that the players expected to challenge them are not performing at the level many anticipated. Because of that, they’ve earned the right to stand above the rest. They deserve congratulations for everything they’re achieving, and what Jannik Sinner is doing by winning the first Masters 1000 tournaments of the season is truly unique and exceptional.

Because of Alcaraz’s wrist injury, he is not competing in the ongoing Roland Garros. The two-time reigning French Open champion injured his wrist during the Barcelona Open, and now, he has pulled out of Wimbledon as well.

As a fan, I’m really enjoying watching records continue to be broken. Carlos Alcaraz already has seven Grand Slam titles. It’s a remarkable period in tennis, with these two players defining an era. Are other players missing from the conversation? Maybe. But for the good of the sport, I hope more challengers emerge.

Rafael Nadal added

The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who completed the Career Grand Slam in this year’s Australian Open, defeated Sinner in last year’s French Open final. If Sinner clinches the French Open title, he will become the seventh man in the Open Era to achieve the Career Grand Slam milestone.

Sinner is on a 30-match winning streak, thanks to his win in the first five Masters 1000s of the season. He has become the second man, after Djokovic, to complete the Career Golden Masters.

The Italian is also the second man, after Nadal, to win the three Masters 1000s on clay in the same season. At the French Open, Sinner defeated Clement Tabur to schedule his second-round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Admits Modern Tennis Hurts His Game After Latest Roland Garros Collapse