Using lasers to repair my knee

Hi everyone,

Well, it is correct, I am a bit injured on (or in) my knee. I couldn't say much about it before today's match since I did not want it to look like I was excusing myself before the match, but the truth is that I have been struggling the past 2/3 days. I hurt myself a bit the other day on my other knee while practicing with Andy (Murray). I felt exactly the same as I did in the final of Wimbledon this year. The same thing with the same pain that I felt during the week of Stuttgart a couple of weeks later. A "punch" in the tendon of my knee. It really makes me angry since this is the last Grand Slam event of the year where I am really hungry to play well. There I go and I get half injured. I mean half since it is not really an injury but the truth is that I could not even hold my knee three days ago. Two days ago I could not practice and yesterday I could only do it very lightly.

But anyway I have now one day and a half and I am getting and feeling better fast. I am here, for the first time, looking a an Italian doctor called Pier Francesco Parra that use to work with Alberto Tomba and other top sportsman.

He has this laser machine that rehabs tendons and muscles very fast. IT is a laser machine that has 5 different lasers. He's explained it to me 2 times but it is hard to explain it to you in English. I already understand him half of what he says since he speaks in Italian to me...  :-) He is here with the Italian Federation but also helps some others. We go to his room 3 times a day and it is funny to see other players waiting to get treated.

Thank God his hotel is nearby ! I am also being treated by ATP's physio Michael Novotny who is a very good professional and is always near us.

Hopefully on Friday night I will feel better and will try to get better and better as the tournament goes by. For that I do need to win matches...

I will let you know how things go tomorrow.

Thanks

Rafa

Comments

[Ali Sahto]

If anyone can win a SLAM match with an injured leg, I will put my money on you. I hope laser treatment will bring back FIT RAFA to the Open. Good Luck at the Open, BUT the most important thing is your health right now.
Adios
One of your fans from Pakistan

[Cheico,Tokyo,Japan]

¡Hola!Rafa!
I hope that I am cured early.
I respect the posture that you challenge.
I pray for it being gone that you worry.
¡Suerte buena!¡Vamos!Rafa!

[Tomoko]

Hola, Rafa!

Whatever you decide, I do and will wish you the best from the bottom of my heart and keep sending you the best luck and the strongest energy of mine like your other fans do and will.

WE BELIEVE IN YOU, RAFA!!

[Claire]

Hi Rafa

Good luck with the laser treatment. I hope it works well and you back to 100% fitness again soon. Well done on winning your first match but, as others have said, take care of yourself so we have you around for years. You're the most exciting player on the tour. Take care and good luck!

Claire

[zola]

Dear Rafa,
it was hard watching you last night. But the fighter that you are, you pulled it off. We are behind you 100%. We want you to stay happy and healthy.
my question:
do you think if you lighten up your early year schedule, you can have a better hard court season? For eample if you not play Miami and Hamburg? Roger plays minimum number of tournaments required and he has managed to stay injury-free. It might help you too.
my next question: Do you drink a sports drink or plain water in between games? I have seen the plain water bottles and some of us worry that they may lack the essensial minerals specially in hot and humid conditions where the body sweats a lot.

Rafa, you are such a nice person and have so much positive energy around you that I am sure your knee will heal very fast.
All the best.

[ivona]

Best wishes from Croatia, take care.

[Moïra]

Hola Rafa,
I'm so sorry for your knee and I really hope the laser treatment will work but no matter what happen
this year, your health is more important,you will for sure hold this trophy one day because you are a great player and you deserve it.
Take care Rafa
Moïra (Paris)

[Mary]

Aw, Rafa, I'm SO sorry your knee is hurting right now. I was so looking forward to seeing you do well in the US Open. But these things happen. Just do your best and treat yourself well. I'm proud of you for gritting out a victory yesterday. Love you!

[Beth]

Rafa-I hope the treatment works on your knee - cause I understand that you want to do well in this tournament. But as the others have said - the most important thing is your health.Please take care of yourself - we want to see you play for many years to come.
Whatever happens this tournament - My daughter and I will be cheering for you!

[Bob Gaffney]

Hola Rafa,

You have my thoughts and prayers for a successful recovery from your knee problems.

Best wishes and best of luck with your next match and your continued USO participation.

Vamos Rafa!

Bob Gaffney

[Anna]

Good luck with the knee, Rafa! I really hope it gets better as soon as possible. Take care of it!

And also, I love reading this blog. Thanks for writing. :)

[Indigo]

Dear Rafa, I really hope this laser treatment will help you!
You know, we were suffering with you yesterday! I really wish to see you back in shape and most important, with no pain anymore!
Wishing again the very very best to you!
from Montreal

[Agata Poland]

I wish you quick return to health and winnings of this tournament. :)

Vamos Rafa!

[Aly]

My very best to my favorite player. Hope you are feeling better today Rafa!

[sofakitty]

Take care of that knee, Rafa.
I hope the treatments will improve things for Friday's match against Tipsy. Your long-term health is more important than any one tournament, so if it doesn't work out at the USO this year, your fans will be here to support you no matter what happens.

[azzurre]

Hi Rafa!

Sorry to hear about your knee. Only realised that something was amiss when i saw your match earlier...

Hope u get well soon! We will support u no matter what. U r the best!

[Loretta]

Rafa, I really enjoy reading your blog - thanks for writing and keeping us updated. :) Like most of us here, I was quite worried watching your match against Alun Jones. But despite the problem with the knee, you pulled through like a true warrior! I hope that the laser treatment on your knee goes well, and I can't wait to watch your next match! Vamos Rafa!

[liz]

Hi Rafa, I hope you start feeling better, sure it must be ruff out there We are all routing for you. feel better :)

[Jenny]

Hola Rafael
I'm so sorry, you don't deserve this. You were clearly struggling. Please take very good care, think of the long term and don't jeopardise your career.

[Emine]

Hi My great love Rafa
I hope you will be very good soon.I believe that you will try to do your best sa you for ever do.We are always with you.All your fans are will suppert you win or lose,for ever.
Have a good tournemant
Love you
Kisses
VAMOS RAFA

[Alessia (Italy)]

Ok Rfaa, I understand what you're feeling... it's a Gran Slam, it's important to play.... but, as Mac has just said, we all want you for long time, we want you have a long career... so take care, I know you're intelligent and well adviced....
I'm happy you won yesterday, and I'll be with you in every decision you will take! Hoping that your knees will get well soon....
Good luck for next match!
Ale italian vb.com

[Miwi]

Hola Rafa, I am very sorry because of your knees, and I hope you are going to be better so you can show your best play. Besos, Miwi.

[Sophia]

So sorry to hear about the knee - after such great play all season it is so unfair that this should happen to you, as you deserved a real opportunity to show what you can do at the US open.

So many people have got ther fingers crossed for you and are cheering you on. You have shown great heart in trying to fight through it all and if there is anyone who can do it - you can!!

Sending you lots of luck for the treatment of your knee and for your next match.

[maryan unfaitful]

Hi, Rafa, I know you won't give up! Wish you fast recovery and more victories.

Yet, there'll be many USO but your knees are unique. Keep them for us! :)

[Bridget]

I love your blog, thanks again for sharing... even tho it is hard to read that you are not 100%. I couldn't breathe during your match against Alun Jones but you did what you had to do to WIN so congrats & I am happy. Now I watch your match again at 3:00 am on USA "Match of the Day" and breathe a little easier knowing the outcome! ;-) I hope you do get to play Friday night so your knee(s) get a little more rest time. Glad your family & friends are there in NYC with you-- we're all rooting for you!! <3