[ad_1]
Rafael Nadal’s incredible Australian Open victory is inspiring Brownlow winner Nat Fyfe as he fights back after ending up in a ‘dark place’ due to horror injury battle
- Fremantle Dockers champion midfielder Nat Fyfe, 30, looking to play round one
- Fyfe had a shoulder reconstruction in July, then further surgery last October
- Was inspired after watching Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal win Australian Open
Rafael Nadal‘s Australian Open triumph in January inspired many sports fans and fellow athletes – including AFL champion Nat Fyfe.
The Spaniard initially feared his tennis career was over due to a foot injury, but he overcame those concerns after beating Russian Daniil Medvedev in an epic five-set final at Melbourne Park.
Radal, 35, also was infected with Covid-19 last year, but managed to return to the court in December.
Fremantle Dockers midfielder Fyfe, a two-time Brownlow Medallist, was watching on in awe, and will draw strength from the Spanish champion snaring a record 21st-career grand slam title against the odds.
‘He (Nadal) was in a situation where he didn’t know if he was going to play again which resonates,’ Fyfe said.
‘His body wasn’t allowing him to train. But he did the work, came back and won the Australian Open.’
Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open triumph in January inspired many sports fans – including AFL champion Nat Fyfe (pictured)
The Fremantle captain has endured plenty of injuries the past few years, but is hopeful 2022 will be a different story
Fyfe watched on in awe as Rafael Nadal overcame a serious foot injury to win a record 21st career grand slam at the Australian Open
Fyfe, 30, also stated his injury recovery has taken him to a ‘dark place’ at times as even sweating was out of the question.
He hopes to play in the Dockers’ AFL season opener against Adelaide on March 20, but is adopting a wait and see approach.
The skipper had a right shoulder reconstruction last July, followed by further surgery in October.
An infection after his second operation then further limited the Dockers leader.
Fyfe was medically cleared to play West Coast last Sunday in a trial game, but club doctors opted to err on the side of caution.
‘My shoulder had the all clear to go…but we had a couple of good conversations at a round table and decided that it wasn’t quite worth risking playing,’ Fyfe said this week.
‘The upside really wasn’t there. And we decided a few more weeks of strength into my shoulder was only going to be better for it.
‘I have had to push so hard over the past two months to get the rest of my body up to speed.
‘We’re just waiting for it to consolidate and we’ve got to make sure there’s no soft tissue injury risks.’
[ad_2]
Source link
Have something to say? Leave a comment: