Rafael Nadal seeks 'long-term' relief to fix his injuries

Passion for the game keeps me going, says ageless SpaniardPARIS: Rafael Nadal's predicament in a nutshell - the spirit is willing, but the feet are protesting. The Spaniard - owner of 14 French Open crowns and 22 Grand Slam titles - suffers from Mueller-Weiss syndrome, a degenerative condition that affects bones in the feet. The 36-year-old has needed injections (nerve blocks) on his left foot, two shots before each of his seven matches, along with anti-inflammatories to keep him running this past fortnight at Roland Garros where he extended his record of records.

Read AlsoRafael Nadal wins 22nd Grand Slam title and 14th French Open crown with straight sets demolition of Casper Ruud

At 36 years, Rafael Nadal became the oldest man to win the French Open, his 14th title at Roland Garros and his 22nd Grand Slam title overall. With this victory, Nadal also surged ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic — by two Grand Slam titles each. Nadal's 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 victory against Casper

Nadal, who is halfway to a calendar Slam, having won the Australian and French Opens in the same year for the first time in his career, will pay a visit to his doctor - looking for 'long-term' relief for his left foot.

TOWERING OVER ALL: Rafael Nadal during a photo call on the Alexandre III bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower on Monday"I have been playing with injections on the nerves to sleep the foot, that's why I was able to play during these two weeks," the world No. 4 said of the nerve blocks that helped him compete this fortnight after he hobbled out of the draw in Rome. Nadal was fortunate to get away with numbing the pain on his foot as the option raised the possibility of a more serious injury.

"Everybody knows how much this tournament