We often forget that athletes are humans and like us their bodies can break down. They are at an increased risk of having an injury because they spend more time abusing their bodies than the average person. The biggest threat to their career is an illness or injury. The probability of their careers being cut short abruptly or early increases with the severity of the injury of illness. While many will recover, there is often a decrease in the level of their game. Yet, there has been several players whose careers ended abruptly because they were unable to recover enough to play at the level demanded of the sport (Robin Soderling and Dinara Safina)

Rafael Nadal, long known for having issues with his knees; continues to struggle with them late in his career. He withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open because of his right knee and has opted to rest and rehabilitate until his title defense in Monte Carlo.

Juan Martin del Potro knows well the trial of injuries; his career has been interrupted several times because of bilateral wrist injuries, which required surgery. At one point the brilliant tennis star considered the possibility of retiring. Many often question the heights he could have reached if not for his injuries. Since his return he continues to battle injuries and now, it’s his knee. One wonders at what point will he get frustrated and simply call it quits.

Kevin Anderson has been battling a persistent elbow injury and was missing from action because the problem was exacerbated. He just returned to action at the Miami Open.

Pablo Carreno Busta has had the misfortune of late to be plagued by a slew of injuries, he has had knee issues and now the Spaniard is struggling with a shoulder injury.

Grigor Dimitrov was recently out of commission due to a shoulder injury and came back to play at the Miami Open; however, he lost in the third round.

Martin Klizan is also no stranger to injury, in 2016 it was his right foot; and in 2017, it was a left calf injury. With each injury, it gets harder and harder to stay motivated and frustration can impact the level of their game. Now he is currently struggling with an ankle injury and lost in the first round of the Miami Open.

Serena Williams came back from maternity leave and looked ready to pick up where she left; unfortunately, not being as fit as she wanted, she has struggled with injuries. First it was her right arm/shoulder and now she was forced to retire from the Miami Open because of a left knee injury.

The Canadian phenom, Bianca Andreescu, was also bitten by the injury bug and had to retire in her match in Miami because of a right shoulder injury.

Maria Sharapova has battled with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Although she won titles on her initial return, her game had changed. Now late in her career the shoulder injury has return to impact her game causing her to withdraw from numerous tournaments the last few seasons and she has not won a title since 2017.

Coco Vandeweghe has struggled with ankle problems and she has been rehabbing a foot injury which has kept her off the WTA Tour since September 2018.

Catherine Bellis has dropped off the radar because of injury; once ranked as high as number thirty-five, she is currently ranked 499 and she has not played a match since March 2018.

Shelby Rogers, once ranked as high as number forty-eight, has not played a match since March 2018. Rogers had knee surgery and is hoping to be back in action next month.

SOURCE OF MAIN IMAGE: serveandrally original (Rafael Nadal)