Netflix 'Rafa' Doc Details Nadal's Mueller-Weiss Foot Injury
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- Netflix is premiering a four-part documentary series "Rafa" about Rafael Nadal, produced by Skydance Sports and directed by Zach Heinzerling
- Rafael Nadal describes himself as "more a competitor than a winner" in the documentary, saying he enjoyed tough battles more than easy victories — citing his 2008 French Open demolition of Roger Federer as a win he enjoyed less than the path to it
- The series reveals Nadal was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss disease, a degenerative navicular bone deformation, in 2005 after his first Roland-Garros title; an aggressive insole let him keep playing but caused cascading injuries to his back, hip, and knees
- Nadal won 22 Grand Slams — 14 at Roland-Garros, the last in 2022 at age 36 — but missed 18 Grand Slams and withdrew from 5 more mid-tournament due to injuries before retiring after the 2024 French Open
- The documentary offers unusually candid moments: a tape measure strapped around Nadal's midsection to assess fat levels, a confession of sneaking chocolate against his diet, and admitting he eats the yogurt meant for his infant son
- Post-retirement, Nadal is focused on family with wife Maria Francisca "Xisca" Perelló and their two sons, calling the transition "sweet" though he works and travels more than expected
Why it matters: The documentary offers a rare unvarnished look at a 22-time Grand Slam champion whose career was nearly cut short at its peak by a rare foot disease. A custom insole let him play 20 more years but triggered cascading back, hip, and knee injuries. The series frames his competitiveness as rooted in a ticking-clock mentality born when doctors first told him he might never play again.
