"I'm not 100% clear about it": Rafael Nadal makes retirement admission ahead of return to action with end to career not set in stone

Rafael Nadal will play Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday evening at the Netflix Slam, but as for the rest of his season and his career, he is not yet sure with the Spanish legend reiterating that all roads lead to the clay court season and a decision then.

With Nadal not playing for two years, he has admitted that his decision remains unclear with certain sections of the tennis world including David Ferrer seeing him continue if he is still 100% next year. So whether he will call time is up in the air, albeit he did admit that it is likely going the way of retirement. He will play Indian Wells for the first time in some years next week, with Monte-Carlo likely to follow on a likely busy clay court schedule with many tournaments likely wanting his participation.

“Whatever has to be left, leave it in the season of clay, which may or may not be the last, I have not decided 100 per cent. At the moment, things are going that way,” the Spaniard said.

“At the moment, I am considering playing in Indian Wells. I would love to play in Monte Carlo. And then, at this point in my career, I have to analyse how I am at every moment, the feelings I have and where I most want to play.

“I will try to do which is better to reach my goals with some chance. I want to do the things that I really want to be happy.”

“I’m not saying goodbye because then I’d say I’m not playing anymore. This is an important point and I don’t want to say it because I’m not 100% clear about it. In the last two years I haven’t been able to play,” Nadal continued.

“Life is showing you the path. How did I imagine my farewell? At first, I didn’t imagine it because you start to imagine something, which means that the closer you are to it. It wasn’t something I had in mind. I would like to say goodbye well, being competitive and enjoying myself on the court.

“Whether that can be or not, time will tell. It is evident that the months and weeks show me a path that is being complicated. There are moments that are difficult to manage.

“Two weeks ago, when I could not go to Doha, well it is another blow, but here we are. I’m going to give myself the opportunity to enjoy it a little more.”