Former world number one Boris Becker believes Spain’s
legendary tennis star Rafael Nadal will not return to the French Open next
year. The 37-year-old suffered a first-round exit at the Roland Garros after
losing to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6,
6-3.
Nadal, who announced last year that the 2024 season would be
his last at the highest level after struggling with consistent fitness struggles,
after the match did not confirm that it was indeed his last appearance at the
Roland Garros where he has been the most successful player in the history of
the competition, having lifted in 14 times. Becker was recently quoted in a
report where he suggested that Nadal would not return to the court in the
French Open.
“I believe that Rafa will still play the Olympics at Roland
Garros, but I don’t think he’ll play the French Open again in 2025,” he said. “Of
course, he has emotions and probably had a sleepless night because he didn’t
know whether it would be the last time. He wanted to say goodbye well. Then his
opponent was Zverev, against whom he can lose even on a good day. That’s why it
was emotionally very difficult for Nadal.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.