Staff Reporter
RAFAEL NADAL has said he had to give up water sports because of his bad knees.
The Mallorca tennis ace has suffered from knee problems for much of his professional tennis career. His most recent blow came when he had to pull out of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
He owns a yacht in his hometown and recently told sailing magazine Nauta360 that he would love to take up water sports.
Asked if he swims while on the ATP Tour, Nadal said: “Whenever I can I try to swim and snorkel, to do everything I can in the water.
“Sometimes I also do aquatic exercises, especially in case of injury, because everything you can do in the water is very important to recover well.
“But I do not practise water sports regularly, at least now.
“It would not be good for my knees.
“I do not do water sports for health reasons, but in the future I would love to take it up again, of course.”
Nadal was speaking to the magazine that features his MCY 76 yacht. He added: “Andy Murray came and used the boat with his team for a few days.
“I have taken on board Feliciano Lopez, Marc Lopez, David Ferrer, many of the Spanish players who come to train here, and we always go out with the boat, and with Juan Monaco as well.
“Fernando Llorente, the soccer player, came last week.
“Many of them have loved the boat and love to go out to sea.
“For this there is nothing better than a comfortable, safe and beautiful boat. So everyone who climbs my MCY 76 always enjoys it to the max.”
