Problems pulling out of tennis tournament – Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is pulling out of the 2012 Olympics. Not to worry, the injury is his oft hurt knee and doesn’t diminish the fact he won the gold medal in 2008. What I found more fascinating was the reaction about the injury itself.

Nadal himself said:

I am not in a condition to be able to compete. It is one of the saddest moments of my career. I have to think of my colleagues. I cannot be selfish and I have to think of the well-being of Spanish sport, especially Spanish tennis, and let a colleague play who has had a better preparation and is in a state to compete.

I hurt my back playing tennis what happened – Roger Federer

You know when it happens. You’re serving and you feel something .. .a twinge, a pull or goodness help you, a pop. Something has happened with your back and you’re not quite sure what has happened.

Tennis is a very safe sport, but most of the injuries are soft tissue ones. Very few broken bones occur in tennis when compared to other sports, but soft tissue injuries happen with regularity. The back is a prime location for the injuries to happen due to the stress placed on it while serving.

Federer knows about injury and experienced one in the round of 16 during Wimbeldon 2012. As he said:

Can you heal a stomach muscle pull – Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters is on the downward slope of a great career. Her wins include the following singles:

  • 2011 Australian Open
  • 2005, 2009, 2010 US Open
  • 2002, 2003, 2010 WTA Tour Championship

Still, she’s looking forward to finishing out her career at Wimbeldon, but the news came out today that she is suffering from a stomach muscle pull. Wait a minute. Really? A stomach muscle pull?

The stomach has muscles, but they are involuntary muscles that move volume through the stomach. You cannot control them and they are never pulled or strained. I am unsure of where the problem came, but it looks like the news folks have a translation issue.

Can you heal a stomach muscle pull - Kim Clijsters PhotoMore than likely, the issue is an abdominal muscle strain or pull. There are primary muscle areas for the abdomen: