This clearly hasn’t been Rafael Nadal’s best season. Let’s review.
Despite a decent-looking 42–14 record, Nadal didn’t win his customary French Open title—for just the second time in 11 years. He’s failed to advance to the semis at a major for the first time since 2004—back when he was still a teenager. Meanwhile, his ATP ranking has fallen outside the top five (he’s currently eighth) for the first time since May 2005—just before he won the first of his nine titles at Roland Garros.
There are a number of reasons as to what is contributing to his collapse, starting with the most significant.
Injuries
Last season saw the Spaniard battle back problems, wrist pain, and an appendix surgery.
The back problem was especially troublesome, happening while he was warming up to play in the Australian Open finals against Stan Wawrinka. Nadal would go on to lose in four sets to a player he had not only never lost to in 12 matches, but had never even dropped a set against. It would mark his last time in the finals of a major not held on clay courts.
