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."
Nadal's final chapter:
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.