Former doubles World No.1, Paul McNamee sees Rafael Nadal's retirement as imminent under one caveat: if he doesn't win the 2024 French Open in May as his career begins to wind down.
McNamee believes that secretly while Novak Djokovic's Grand Slam record is still in play, he sees the future of Nadal as still in play. This is despite Nadal withdrawing from a multitude of tournaments and only playing twice since his return, both at the Brisbane International.
But many thought that Nadal who is a tennis icon so is set for wildcards anywhere was stupid to even try and play any tournaments before the clay and see Roland Garros and the subsequent Olympic Games as perfect landing spots when it comes to the retirement of the great Spaniard.
But when it doesn't seem likely that he could become French Open champion, Nadal's retirement becomes imminent in the view of McNamee and it is very much like other retirements like Andy Murray, it is playing until they have their own belief that they cannot compete anymore and while Nadal still has the view he can, he will continue hence why he has also not fully set a date for retirement.
But Nadal has said recently also that he would let people know before the clay court season what his end date is so he can take scope and begin his preparations so the likelihood is the next month or so is vital.
“Let’s call it as it is. Rafa continues while he believes he can still win more Roland Garros’s, & why not? If he does, he’ll keep playing,” the Australian wrote.
“For me he won’t quit while he has a chance to equal Djokovic on 24. If he doesn’t win RG24, the end of a magnificent career becomes imminent.”
In a further tweet, he said that he also sees the Olympics and Wimbledon as also potentials. “In any event I think Wimbledon and the Olympics are in play, as within only two months of RG (Roland Garros).”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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