"I do not agree with Rafael Nadal that he talks so much about his injuries" - Jose Luis Gonzalez

Many in the tennis world felt sorry for World No. 4 Rafael Nadal when he was visibly struggling with a foot problem at the Italian Open in May. The Spaniard lost his round-of-16 match against Canadian Denis Shapovalov after winning the first set and then proceeded to limp off the court, which raised concerns about his participation in the 2022 French Open.

However, Nadal didn't just reach Paris, he also regained the Roland Garros crown in style. And while the 36-year-old, who suffers from Mueller-Weiss syndrome, was repeatedly asked about the condition of his foot during the tournament, he kept insisting he would talk about it once his campaign ended.

True to his word, in his press conference after the tournament Nadal made public how he dealt with the injury. The 22-time Slam champion stated that he had to use anesthetic injections and anti-inflammatories during the event to numb the pain in his foot.

While sympathies have poured in from all corners since that revelation, compatriot and three-time Olympian Jose Luis Gonzalez has a different viewpoint. In an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC, Gonzalez accused Nadal of victimizing himself by talking about his injuries.

"I do not agree with Rafael Nadal that he talks so much about his injuries," Gonzalez said. "I think he is wrong talking so much about his ailments in the face of public opinion, because it could be understood as victimhood."

The 64-year-old former middle-distance runner also claimed that athletes should never talk about their physical problems.

"If you decide to go to a competition, it is because you are in a position to do so," Gonzalez said. "If you accept the challenge, you accept it and you should not talk about your physical problems."

"One must assume that he is to compete, period," he added. "There are girls in rhythmic gymnastics with more physical problems than Nadal and they don't talk about it as much. I also had my patellar tendon removed."

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Rafael Nadal and wife Maria Francisca Perello are reportedly expecting their first child

Rafael Nadal and his wife Maria Francisca Perello alongside Albert II, the Prince of Monaco. [File photo]

According to a report in Spanish magazine Hola, Rafael Nadal and his wife Maria Francisca Perello are expecting their first child. The couple is yet to confirm the news.

In 2017, Nadal expressed his desire to start a family and have kids.

"I have the intention and hope of forming a family. I love children and I would like my children to do what they like," Nadal had said.

The news comes on the same day as the Balearic government decided to honor the 14-time Roland Garros champion for his accomplishments throughout his career.