Social media users have recently been sharing a clip of Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal in pain at a news conference that dates from 2011 and, contrary to the captions on the clip, is not connected to COVID-19 vaccines.
The clip shows Nadal speaking to the media when he begins to sink in his chair, grimacing in pain, and ends up slumping on the floor.
Users shared the clip online in July 2022, falsely linking the video to COVID-19 vaccines.
One user shared the clip of Nadal on Twitter on July 24, 2022, with a caption that reads: “Vaccine advocate Rafael Nadal collapses at press conference” (here).
Other examples of the claim can be found (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here).
The clip is not recent, nor is it connected to COVID-19 vaccines, despite the comments circulating online.
The incident occurred during a news conference at the U.S. Open in September 2011 after Nadal’s third-round win over David Nalbandian. The tennis star had suffered from cramps post-match (bit.ly/3cJ2Nwr).
Reporters were told to leave the room as medical staff treated Nadal, Reuters reported at the time. A trainer massaged his leg while another gave him ice and fluids. Nadal was eventually helped to his feet after 10 minutes and then told reporters that he had suffered from cramping (here).
“I just have cramping in my leg. That’s all,” he said. “I just have cramping in front and behind. That’s why. It was so painful. That’s all.”
The incident was covered widely by media outlets at the time, including ABC News and The Guardian (here), (here).
VERDICT
Miscaptioned. The clip shows the Spanish tennis player Nadal suffering from a cramp during a press conference at the 2011 U.S. Open.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to fact-check social media posts here.

Source: Reuters

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