Rafael Nadal's new Netflix documentary exposes the severe physical toll behind his legendary career. The 22-time Grand Slam champion details how chronic foot pain drove him to desperate measures, including surgeries that eliminated sensation in his foot and internal damage from excessive medication use.

Nadal's injury nightmare began in 2005 after breaking his left foot, leading to Mueller-Weiss syndrome diagnosis. The degenerative condition forced him to rely on specialized insoles that threw his entire body out of alignment. Despite constant pain and doubts about his future, he maintained an 'over-positive' mindset to stay competitive throughout his career.

The Spaniard's determination took extreme forms. At the 2022 French Open, he had his foot's sensory nerve put to sleep yet captured a record 14th Roland Garros title. Medical interventions included using anaesthetics before matches and enduring tendinitis so severe his knee tendon developed holes. He even sought psychiatric help for anxiety stemming from years of high-stress competition.

Nadal's revelations explain why his final eight Grand Slam victories came between 2017 and his 2024 retirement. The documentary underscores how athletic greatness often demands personal sacrifice, with Nadal suggesting he might have won 10-12 fewer majors without taking such extreme measures to manage his injuries.