Rafael Nadal: Spanish tennis star ends season due to injury

2 minute read
Updated 1:55 PM EDT, Thu October 20, 2016
"Mallorca and Manacor is my life," says Rafa Nadal, who has recently collected titles on clay, in Barcelona, Madrid and Monte Carlo. Last year he <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/11/tennis/federer-nadal-rankings-top-four/index.html">enjoyed a successful Olympics but he's struggled with injury and form for much of the season.</a>
"Mallorca and Manacor is my life," says Rafa Nadal, who has recently collected titles on clay, in Barcelona, Madrid and Monte Carlo. Last year he enjoyed a successful Olympics but he's struggled with injury and form for much of the season.
EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Off the court Nadal is bringing one of his long-term goals into fruition.
Off the court Nadal is bringing one of his long-term goals into fruition.
CNN
The tennis star is launching an academy near his hometown of Manacor on the island of Mallorca.
The tennis star is launching an academy near his hometown of Manacor on the island of Mallorca.
CNN
It will be based in his new sports center, which provides gym facilities and a spa as well as accommodation for students, a cafe and an interactive games room.
It will be based in his new sports center, which provides gym facilities and a spa as well as accommodation for students, a cafe and an interactive games room.
Rafael Nadal Sports Center
It is laid out across 40,000 square meters of land outside Manacor.
It is laid out across 40,000 square meters of land outside Manacor.
Rafael Nadal Sports Center
More than 4,000 people attended the center's open day in September.
More than 4,000 people attended the center's open day in September.
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Nadal's uncle Toni, the academy's head coach, gave tips to kids on the open day.
Nadal's uncle Toni, the academy's head coach, gave tips to kids on the open day.
CNN
The 14-time grand slam champion says he wants to leave a legacy in his hometown.
The 14-time grand slam champion says he wants to leave a legacy in his hometown.
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Nadal's loved ones attended the October 19 launch of the academy: (L-R) His partner Xica Perello, sister Maribel, mother Joana Maria and father Sebastian.
Nadal's loved ones attended the October 19 launch of the academy: (L-R) His partner Xica Perello, sister Maribel, mother Joana Maria and father Sebastian.
JAIME REINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nadal's image is a common sight around Manacor.
Nadal's image is a common sight around Manacor.
CNN
His name is famous on the island -- though this street in Manacor was not named after him.
His name is famous on the island -- though this street in Manacor was not named after him.
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Nadal poses next to a painting depicting himself during a ceremony in Palma where he received the title of "Favorite Son of Mallorca" in December 2014.
Nadal poses next to a painting depicting himself during a ceremony in Palma where he received the title of "Favorite Son of Mallorca" in December 2014.
JAIME REINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nadal with friends during the ceremony in Palma.
Nadal with friends during the ceremony in Palma.
JAIME REINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Manacor, the second-largest town on the Spanish island with a population of around 40,000, is a thriving industrial center.
Manacor, the second-largest town on the Spanish island with a population of around 40,000, is a thriving industrial center.
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Manacor is known for its pottery, furniture and textiles.
Manacor is known for its pottery, furniture and textiles.
CNN
It was dependent on agriculture until the introduction of a railway line in the late 1800s.
It was dependent on agriculture until the introduction of a railway line in the late 1800s.
CNN
Its most famous church, Nostra Senyora dels Dolors, was built on a site that has housed religious temples since the Mallorcan conquest of King Jaume I in the 13th century.
Its most famous church, Nostra Senyora dels Dolors, was built on a site that has housed religious temples since the Mallorcan conquest of King Jaume I in the 13th century.
CNN
Unlike the island's glitzy tourist resorts, Manacor is more reflective of everyday Spanish culture.
Unlike the island's glitzy tourist resorts, Manacor is more reflective of everyday Spanish culture.
CNN
Nadal reportedly<a href="https://www.mypremiumeurope.com/travel-news/spain/rafael-nadal-mallorca.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank"> bought a €4 million ($4.4 million) coastal villa</a> in nearby Porto Cristo in 2013.
Nadal reportedly bought a €4 million ($4.4 million) coastal villa in nearby Porto Cristo in 2013.
CNN
The local marina is located in one of Porto Cristo's sheltered coves, and can hold more than 200 berths.
The local marina is located in one of Porto Cristo's sheltered coves, and can hold more than 200 berths.
CNN
While inland Manacor is famous for its pearl refining industry, Porto Cristo still retains some of its fishing village heritage.
While inland Manacor is famous for its pearl refining industry, Porto Cristo still retains some of its fishing village heritage.
CNN
Its beaches are quieter than tourist meccas such as Palma and Magaluf on the other side of the island.
Its beaches are quieter than tourist meccas such as Palma and Magaluf on the other side of the island.
CNN
The capital Palma is a big attraction for package tourists.
The capital Palma is a big attraction for package tourists.
CNN
manacor cars parked
CNN
Manacor: At home with Rafael Nadal

Story highlights

Rafael Nadal ends 2016 season

Cites left wrist injury as cause

CNN  — 

Rafael Nadal has prematurely ended his 2016 season in a bid to fully recover from a wrist injury that has hindered him this year.

The Spaniard had been due to compete in next week’s Swiss Indoors Basel, where he was beaten by Roger Federer in last year’s final, and the season-ending World Tour Finals in November.

Nadal has been suffering problems with his left wrist since May when he pulled out of the French Open in the first week. He then tried to accelerate his recovery in an attempt to be fit in time for Rio 2016, where he won a gold medal with Marc Lopez in the doubles.

However, another complication in the same wrist has now forced him to focus on being fit for the start of 2017.

“It is no secret that I arrived to the Olympic Games short of preparation and not fully recovered, but the goal was to compete and win a medal for Spain,” Nadal said in a statement Thursday.

“This forced recovery has caused me pain since then and now I am forced to stop and start preparing the 2017 season.

Read: ‘Humble gladiator’ Nadal to teach the secrets of his tennis success

“I am very saddened for not being able to play next week in Basel since I have a great memory of the tournament and the final played against Roger Federer last year.

“I won’t be able to compete either in Paris-Bercy, where the crowds and the FFT staff has always treated me so well. Now it is time to rest and start preparing intensively the 2017 season.”

Read: Federer and Nadal BOTH outside top four

After puling out of the French Open before his third-round match against Marcel Granollers, the wrist injury also forced the 30-year-old to miss Wimbledon.

Nadal won two ATP titles in 2016 although he struggled in the season’s grand slams, reaching the fourth round of the US Open and losing in the first round of the Australian Open – - only the second time in his career he had lost in the first round of a major.

Read: Controversial Nick Kyrgios skips tennis tournament to play NBA game

And in his haste to be ready for the Olympics, he suffered fluid build-up in the bone in his wrist.