Will 2024 be Rafael Nadal's farewell year? Injury clouds future

Rafael Nadal has suggested that 2024 may be his last year as a professional. 2023 saw injury dominate the Spaniard's season, and his momentum was halted after he made his return to the court, having to take time away again after suffering from a hip muscle tear.

This has led fans to believe that Nadal will indeed call it quits after this season. David Ferrer, however, thinks otherwise. "If he does not have physical injuries, I am convinced that he will be competitive," Ferrer told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"It was already shown in the first week of the year in Brisbane that he was at a very high level without barely competing. If he doesn’t have any injuries he will be competitive and if he is competitive, he will continue for another year."

Captain for the Spanish team at the Davis Cup, Ferrer foresees the former Olympic gold medallist setting his sights on winning another in Paris, where Nadal will play on his strongest surface of clay.

"What I can say is that we have to wait a little to see how Rafa goes on the Indian Wells tour and then on the clay tour, which is very important to see how he feels," Ferrer added.

"Today, Rafa’s priority, before the Davis Cup, is the (Olympic) Games. Have a good clay tour, feel competitive and be at the Paris event."