NEW YORK — In a recent essay shared online, Rafael Nadal reflected on his journey within the sport of tennis, revealing his struggle with mental health and injury. This writing follows closely after his retirement, which came after a November appearance for Spain in the Davis Cup. The 22-time Grand Slam champion expressed how he once contemplated taking a break for mental health reasons but ultimately decided to keep moving forward and rediscover himself over time.

Nadal shared that while he has always been familiar with physical pain, there were moments on the court when he found it challenging to manage his breathing, affecting his ability to perform at his peak. He expressed, “I can speak about it now because we are human beings, not superheroes,” highlighting the reality that many athletes face mental hurdles just as significant as physical ones. He acknowledged that although he never reached a level of anxiety he couldn’t manage, there were certainly times when mental difficulties impacted his gameplay.

The tennis icon reminisced about the chronic pain in his left foot that emerged during his teenage years, stating he was once informed that he might never compete professionally again. This difficult period led him to experience profound sadness, spending many days at home in tears. Nevertheless, he credits his father, a major source of inspiration, for instilling a sense of positivity in him throughout these challenges.

As he reflected on his illustrious career, which includes a record-setting 14 French Open victories, Nadal admitted to feelings of nervousness before competitions. He also touched on the deep respect with which he has always aimed to treat others, a value instilled in him by his parents. In sum, he hopes that his legacy in the world of tennis will be one of respect and kindness towards others, illustrating important life lessons beyond the scoreboard.