Nadal dismisses French Open retirement prediction: "I have a very good relationship with Zverev, but not enough to confess something like that to him"

Rafael Nadal dismissed claims made by Alexander Zverev recently that said that Nadal would be retiring this year after the Roland Garros event.

Zverev created headlines recently by saying that Nadal will retire at the 2023 Roland Garros event. The comment was made as part of a feature for Eurosport where he was asked to give a bold prediction. Zverev then said:

“Unfortunately, I think Rafa will retire at Roland Garros. I don’t want it to happen, but I think he will have a great tournament, potentially win it and say goodbye.”

Nadal was made aware of those comments and he responded to them during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open. He said:

"I don't know what's going to happen in six months. I have a very good relationship with Zverev, but not enough to confess something like that to him. The reality is that I'm here to play tennis, try to have a great 2023, fight for everything that I have struggled with throughout my career and I don't think about my retirement."

He added:

“You think about it week after week because that's how you show me at every press conference. But I will answer the same every time you ask me".