"I spent many days crying" - Rafael Nadal makes honest admission about his reaction to devastating Muller-Weiss syndrome diagnosis early in his career

Rafael Nadal recently opened up about the reaction he had to being diagnosed with the debilitating Muller-Weiss syndrome early in his career. The Spaniard was diagnosed with the condition in 2005.

Nadal retired from tennis this year and he finished his career with 22 Grand Slam singles to his name, being ranked World No.1, winning Olympic gold medals for Spain and many other accolades . However his career was marred by persistent injuries.

The Spaniard was diagnosed with Muller-Weiss syndrome, a rare and incurable condition that affects the navicular bone, at the start of his career . While there are treatment options available, there are no guarantees of a cure

Recentlyl while speaking to The Players' Tribune, Rafael Nadal discussed his diagnosis of Muller-Weiss syndrome. He recalled injuring his foot and initially thinking it was a minor fracture, only to receive the news of the degenerative condition.

“I got hurt when I was 17 and I was told I would probably never play professional tennis again. I learned that things can end in an instant. It's not just a tiny crack in my foot, it's a disease. There's no cure, only management. Mueller-Weiss syndrome," he said.

The former World No.1 admitted that after the diagnosis he spent days at home in "crying." He also credited his father, Sebastian as his greatest source of support throughout this difficult period

“What does that even mean? You go from the greatest joy to waking up the next morning not being able to walk. I spent many days at home crying, but it was a great lesson in humility, and I was lucky to have a father - the real influence I've had in my life - who was always so positive. "We will find a solution," he said . "And if we don't, there are other things in life outside of tennis,"" the Spaniard continued.

Nadal said that that despite all the pain and difficulties has is glad that he was able to play with it and fight through it.

“Hearing those words, I could barely process it, but thank God, after a lot of pain and surgeries and rehabilitation and tears, a solution was found, and for all these years, I was able to fight through it," he said.

Rafael Nadal after being diagnosed with Muller-Weiss syndrome: "I became irritable, distant, dark"

Rafael Nadal speaking to the crowd [Image Source: Getty Images]

Earlier, Rafael Nadal had wrote about his Muller-Weiss syndrome diagnosis. He said that his family noticed a significant change in him after his diagnosis, noting that he became "irritable," "distant," and withdrawn

"I felt as if my life had been cut in half . When my family recall that period, they say I was completely transformed, unrecognizable. At home I’m normally in high spirits, laughing and joking a lot, especially with my sister. I became irritable, distant, dark," he wrote.

The Spaniard said that the pain caused by the disease was excruciating which made it difficult for him to even bear weight on his foot, let alone consider playing tennis.

"Typically so hyperactive, I couldn’t even rest my foot on the ground, let alone think of playing tennis, and I’d lie for hours on end on the sofa staring into space. I didn’t laugh, I didn’t smile, I didn’t want to talk. I lost all appetite for life," he expressed

Rafael Nadal played his final professional tennis match this year against Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands while representing Spain in the knockout stages of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.