Nadal Deals With Abdominal Problem In US Open Win

NEW YORK — Rafael Nadal was treated for a stomach muscle problem during his third-round victory at the U.S. Open on Sunday.

The No. 3-seeded Nadal beat No. 32 Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Spaniard matchup.

Nadal already was comfortably ahead when both he and Almagro received treatment from trainers after the third game of the third set. Nadal had a patch applied to his stomach, while Almagro had his back worked on.

Nadal wouldn't discuss his health afterward.

"I don't want to talk about injuries," he said. "Sorry. No, no. I am a little bit tired to talk about injuries."

Nadal is a six-time major champion who is trying to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open.

This is his first Grand Slam tournament since the French Open, where he was upset in the fourth round, ending a 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros. He decided to skip Wimbledon, blaming tendinitis in his knees.

Nadal returned to the tour in August after about a three-month absence, and he appeared to pick up an abdominal injury then, although he pronounced himself fine when he arrived in New York.

Whatever the extent of his discomfort, Nadal played quite well against Almagro. Next up is a fourth-round match against No. 13 Gael Monfils.

"I came here and I know everybody wants to talk about the injury," Nadal said at his postmatch news conference. "I really don't want to talk about that."

Comments

[karma13612]

We are supporting you 200% Rafa!

Keep it up!

[NyPrincess]

Vamos Rafa!!!

[Lee Andrew]

I hope he get better I really like him , er his tennis. Can you say fortunate trainer in photo?

[KarateKid]

Anyone who has had an injury to soft tissue in the abdomen or groin will know the pain it causes; I'll be surprised if he makes it to the quarterfinals.

[RonNYC]

Rafa is great. I hope his health holds up. The haircut is good too!

[flyers]

I am a huge fan of Nadal, but I have always suspected he is doing steroids with his physique. The number of one problem with steroid users is their body breaks down after a few years when they play at a high level, and they suffer a rash of injuries. Federer, who is much much smaller in bulk then Nadal, has never had any injuries through his career. Now this is just speculation on my part, and I have no proof, but this is an age of athletes who take steroids, and it wouldn't suprise me if Nadal was a user.

[tokenconservative]

It would certainly surprise me. Remember when Carillo told Nadal that the New York crowd liked him with his shirt off and he turned bright red? He's too much of a straight arrow to be doing steroids.

[moana]

Are you kidding me? He's fit, and he puts his body through a lot. Compare the way he plays to Federer. Rafa takes more risks, and that puts the body thru a lot. He does a complete follow thru with his forehead that goes around his head and that's got to put some strain on the abs. The same can be said of the Williams sisters. As a matter of fact, the commentators speculated about this very issue on air. Federer's style is very conservative and he doesn't do anything flashy, therefore less risk of injuries.