Former Spanish No.1 weighs in on Rafael Nadal's uncertain future after Olympics

At the start of the 2024 ATP season, Rafael Nadal set out to compete at the French Open and Paris Olympic Games. The Spaniard will now have to decide how the rest of his season unfolds, according to retired tennis star Alex Corretja.

After battling injuries for most of 2023, Nadal made his return at the Brisbane International in January 2024. The former World No.1 competed sporadically during the first half of the season, as his comeback was hindered by nagging injuries. Although he announced this year would be his last on tour, the Spaniard was able to compete at the French Open one last time, losing to Alexander Zverev in the opening round.

In an interview with El Larguero, Corretja gave his opinion on Nadal's season outlook. The former World No.2 and current tennis analyst believes the 22-time Grand Slam champion needs to return home after his final showing at the Olympics, and decide on whether he will play past the Laver Cup, which is scheduled to take place in September.

"When he started the red clay tour, he said he wanted to see how he felt," said Corretja. "He had Roland Garros and the Olympics and now these two important meetings are over. He needs to go home, think and feel where he wants to go.
"We’ve always seen the fast Nadal on the court but outside he likes to meditate and it’s a true reflection of what he does with his career. Rafa is like that, he asks for three balls from the service, takes his towel and now he does the same with his career, and I’m not surprised."