I'm giving myself time - Nadal not ruling out playing until 2025 French Open

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 at 09:58

Rafael Nadal's decision not to receive a farewell ceremony at the French Open had everyone wondering whether he would try and play another year especially given that he lost early to Alexander Zverev.

Nadal previously said that 2024 would likely be his final year before bowing out due to injuries which have beset the latter half of his career. But as the year has gone on, he has suffered more injury hell and also not got the results he has liked.

So whilst at certain tournaments, he has accepted a swansong and admitted that he is unlikely to play there again. Others are less cut and dry including the French Open.

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"It's an option [to play again at Roland Garros], right now the goals are over and I'm giving myself time. I'm enjoying training and other things in life," Nadal said in an interview with El Hormiguero.

"I understand that I'm retiring. It's been a long time, I've had a lot of physical problems and the question is normal.

"There comes a time when I can't live with [the idea of] retirement, because otherwise you don't finish trying. I've given myself some time to enjoy tennis after a year and a half off the court and that's what I'm doing, enjoying the day to day.

"In the end, I'm giving myself time and making my decision when I'm clear about it. I try to do things as well as possible. I ask that they don't bring up my retirement in every press conference because otherwise I end up believing that I'm going to retire."

"Right now my goals for the year are over, I haven't achieved what I would have liked to achieve," he added.

"I hoped to be healthier than I was, the injury at the beginning of the year was unexpected. I think I arrived at the time I most wanted, but I had an unsuitable draw at Roland Garros."

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