Rafael Nadal would announce prior to Olympic Games if retirement is imminent: "I will know my reality"

Rafael Nadal spoke about his possible retirement at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and mentioned that if his retirement is imminent, he will make a prior announcement. The 22-times Grand Slam champion had previously indicated 2024 as the likely year for his retirement after an 11-month break from playing due to injuries.

However, Nadal has consistently stated that if he feels physically well, he might continue his career. Therefore, he has been cautious in discussing the end of his career. The Spanish player is patient about the decision and will wait to see how he feels physically during the first few months on the Tour: "There will have been five months of margin on the circuit, and I will know my reality. One can sense these things, but until one feels them, one cannot do anything. I am ready. I am aware that it is very likely that it will be my last year."

The Olympic Games will be held in Paris at Roland Garros, 'Rafa's' favorite tournament, where he has won 14 of his Grand Slam titles. The clay in Paris is a double motivation for Nadal as he aims to conclude his career with an Olympic medal. He mentioned that upon arriving in France, he will have more certainty about his decision: "When I get to Paris, I will know if it is my last year. And there will be a prior announcement," he said.

“I would love to be able to say ‘I'm leaving’ before Australia, which is going to be my last year and let it be known, to play with that emotion of farewell and for the public to experience the games in a different way. But I have seen colleagues who have announced those things and, four years later, they are still playing. Well, I don't like it,” Nadal stated.

‘He told us that he was retiring, we applauded him on all the courts and here he is again, what a year of tribute it stuck.’ I am aware that there are many options for it to end, but I don't know 100 per cent,” former world No. 1 added.

“If suddenly at the end of the year I feel physically well, my family is doing well with what I do, I have fun and I feel competitive? But since I know this is very difficult, I prepare for goodbye,” he concluded.