Rafael Nadal has disclosed that his reliance on anti-inflammatory medication throughout his tennis career has resulted in two perforations of his intestines. The 39-year-old Spaniard, who retired in 2024 with 22 grand slam titles, admitted he often argued with his physio over the medication but felt he had no choice if he wanted to continue playing.
In an interview with Marca, Nadal said: 'There was a time when I was living with constant pain. And there were many days when I had arguments with my physio about whether I should take anti-inflammatories or not.' He added that he eventually took control of his own medication, despite knowing the risks.
Nadal explained that without the anti-inflammatories, his career would have been 'completely different'. He suggested in a new documentary that he would have won 'twelve fewer grand slams' had he not taken the high-risk approach. The 14-time French Open champion won multiple titles after 2012, including three US Opens.
The revelations come as Nadal prepares for the release of a documentary about his life and career. His last French Open title came in 2022, and he retired two years later. The 2025 French Open was the first without Nadal since his retirement, with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz winning the title.
