The 14-time champion of the French Open has expressed his belief that this will be his final year as a professional player after he missed almost all of 2023 due to injury.
Nadal made a successful comeback in Brisbane last month as he emerged victorious in his first two matches upon returning to the court.
However, he was once again struck by injury and was compelled to withdraw from the Australian Open. Further injury concerns have forced him to cancel his planned return at next week’s Qatar Open.
Nadal has confirmed his intention to participate in his highly lucrative exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas on March 3, followed by the ATP Tour event at Indian Wells.
What happens thereafter is contingent upon how Nadal’s body reacts to the demands of playing once again. His recent comments indicate that he will make a decision regarding the conclusion of his career sooner than anticipated.
“I have different desires for what I want to play and what I will play,” he informed Cope. “My intended calendar will not come to fruition.
“It will be what it can be. My aspiration is to compete during the clay season under acceptable conditions, and today’s decision is aimed at achieving that.
“I am referring to being healthy, not being competitive. There are numerous thrilling tournaments on clay, and I hope to participate in Madrid.
“I will play what I can within my reality and within an objective perspective that I must not lose sight of, which is my desire to play at Roland Garros.
“I will assume minimal risks in order to compete optimally at Roland Garros.
“This will be my final year, but I cannot confirm it 100 percent. I will take it one day at a time.
“I will announce it before Roland Garros. I will exercise caution for a few months. You are aware that unforeseen events can occur, so I cannot make definitive plans months in advance after a year without competition.”
When questioned whether he still considers himself a contender for a remarkable 15th French Open title in May, Nadal provided this candid response.
“It is impossible for me to answer that today,” he stated.
“It is very difficult for me to believe that I can win Roland Garros, but I am thrilled to be able to participate and enjoy playing at Roland Garros. If I thought I had no chance of winning, I would be pursuing other endeavors.”
He was also asked whether he has a specific plan in mind for bidding farewell to tennis, to which he responded, “Yes, but I will not disclose it.”
These comments will fuel speculation that one of Nadal’s options in the coming months is to bid farewell to tennis at the venue where he will forever be remembered as the greatest champion of all.
The magnificent statue of Nadal will forever grace Roland Garros, and it seems improbable that his record of 14 French Open titles will ever be matched or surpassed.
When Pete Sampras retired from the sport in 2002, he held the all-time record of 14 Grand Slam titles. Yet Nadal has managed to win the same number of titles at the French Open during his illustrious career as the undisputed “King of Clay.”
If Roland Garros is the location he selects to bid farewell to tennis, it would be a fitting conclusion for one of the sport’s all-time greats.
According to the Source tennis365.com