Rafael Nadal has been off the court for a year now. While he only made a brief return for a practice session with one of his academy’s stars, Alexandra Eala, the retired pro had one condition: No running. Having suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle in 2004, foot injury and knee injuries over the next five years along with an arthroscopic hip surgery in 2023, Rafa has every reason to stay cautious. But as it turns out, old issues keep troubling the 39-year-old.

“Rafa Nadal underwent a surgical procedure yesterday at the Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona, where surgery was performed on his right hand due to severe osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint,” a statement from his team read, as shared by New York Times’ Christopher Clarey. “The procedure, carried out under the supervision of Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro, Rafa Nadal’s physician, together with Dr. Vilaro, and performed by Dr. Alex Lluch, consisted of an arthroplasty aimed at relieving pain and restoring mobility of the joint.”

The journalist also added his own take to the matter, talking about the toll it must have taken on the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

“Wonder how much it bothered him on his 2-handed backhand during his career. Arthroplasty is also known as joint replacement surgery,” he wrote.

While that’s a worrying train of thought, what’s even more heartbreaking is Nadal has been suffering since he was just 19.

The player was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome, a rare degenerative condition affecting the bones in his left foot. That same issue persisted throughout his career. He even fought through it at the 2022 French Open, playing with daily anesthetic injections just to numb the pain.

Nadal, though, is not letting it get to him. In fact, he even tried to lighten the mood after his latest surgery by “withdrawing” from the 2025 Australian Open.

“Looks like I won’t be able to play the @AustralianOpen 2026 😂,” Nadal, who retired in 2024, wrote on X while sharing a picture of himself in a cast. “I had to undergo hand surgery because of an issue I’d been dealing with for a long time, but I hope to be fine soon! 🤗”.

Even with the setback, Nadal won’t be disappearing from the tennis world just yet. He’s scheduled to make an appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah on December 17.

Rafa Nadal may have retired, acknowledging that his body can no longer keep up, though it still stings fans to see him sidelined again.

Rafael Nadal on being known as the ‘best Spanish athlete of all time’

Nadal has never been one to dwell on titles off the court, but when asked about one of the biggest honors, his humility stood out once again. Speaking to Cadena SER in an interview published on December 8, the 39-year-old was asked what he thought about being considered the best Spanish athlete of all time. His response was simple yet sincere.

“You set the criteria, but I am always very grateful to you,” the former player said. “It is a great honor and a great satisfaction to be recognized for this. I have always strived to give my best without thinking about these things. I have been fortunate to have many things in my favor: an environment, a family, and then I think a good work ethic and good talent, that’s the truth.”

Rafa’s bond with his fans has long gone beyond trophies or statistics. Over two remarkable decades, he didn’t just win matches; he built an identity. “Rafa” became synonymous with determination, perseverance, and heart. His career stands not only as a record of victories but as a narrative of resilience that resonated with millions around the world.

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As for chasing that feeling again, Rafael Nadal is in no rush. Last month, he sat down with Jorge Valdano on Movistar+’s Universo Valdano and reflected on his journey from a fresh perspective. The 22-time Grand Slam champion admitted that he reached the finish line utterly drained.

“Through the academy I’m still involved and I see what I want to see,” he said. “I don’t follow the day-to-day as before. Now I watch the games or moments I want to see,”

For now, Nadal is focused on rest and recovery following surgery. Whether he returns to competition remains uncertain, but with his history, few would bet against the possibility.