Rafael Nadal issues retirement statement amid injury setback at Paris Olympics

07/26/2024 06:00 PM

Rafael Nadal isn't making any guarantees on his future as the 38-year-old plans to take some time off after the Paris Olympics and see what he should do next. 

After managing to return to the French Open this year, Nadal didn't want to 100 percent confirm that it was his last appearance but noted that it was "probably" the last time he played at the tournament. Also, the 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed then that he wouldn't make any definitive decisions on his pro career until after the Paris Olympics. 

Since then, Nadal missed the entire grass season to remain on clay and he finished as runner-up in Bastad in his first tournament since the French Open. 

However, making his first final since the 2022 French Open final wasn't enough to convince Nadal yet to change his retirement plans. 

But even if Nadal skips the US Open and decides to call it a career, he still plans to go to the Laver Cup in September and fulfill his commitment. 

"Nothing is linear in this life. There are moments and states which normally go hand in hand with physical states. I try to enjoy and live what I feel at each moment," Nadal said.

"Always with a positive vision of what my day-to-day is within my possibilities. After this, I am going to take some time to think carefully about what I need for myself as a person, what I really want to do. I will play the Laver Cup. After the Games, I will take some time to think carefully about what I need."

On Thursday, the Paris Olympics main draw was released and Nadal learned that he would be facing Marton Fucsovics in his first-round match at the tournament. Also, the former world No. 1 could face Novak Djokovic in the second round if he and the Serb make it past their opening matches in Paris. 

But just after tennis fans got into a frenzy over a possible Nadal and Djokovic meeting, a report came out revealing that the 38-year-old Spaniard was dealing with an injury and that he was forced to abruptly end his practice on Thursday. 

"He had some discomfort yesterday (Wednesday) morning. In the afternoon he was more limited and before it got worse he decided to stop," Nadal's coach Carlos Moya said on a Spanish radio.

"Don't force it at the moment and see if he recovers well. We will see what condition he's in tomorrow and Saturday."

Naturally, fans instantly started to fear if Nadal would be able to play in the singles event and also team up with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles. 

"I can't guarantee anything, neither that he won't play or he will play. At the moment he needs to rest, undergo treatment. He is obviously very excited to play these Olympics. It has been something marked on his calendar for years," Moya said.

"He is a born competitor and wants to play singles and doubles. He's very excited about the doubles with Alcaraz. It will be the first time they have played together and it will be something historic for Spanish tennis."

When asked about Andy Murray playing his last tournament at the Paris Olympics and Nadal also potentially playing his last major tournament there, Djokovic spoke very highly of the Briton before adding that he would like to at least see the Spaniard continue his career. 

"Nadal of course the same, even more, all the results and achievements he has had, particularly in this city in Roland Garros. Nadal still didn’t say when his last tournament will be so hopefully, for the sake of the sport, he can keep going," Djokovic said.

After stating that he would like to see his biggest rival resume his pro career beyond the Olympics, Djokovic also addressed the possibility of playing the Spaniard for the 60th time at the Olympics.

"Obviously he hasn't played much. His ranking dropped, so there's always going to be that possibility of me meeting him in an early round and there we go. It's going to be a spectacle, definitely, if we get to meet," Djokovic said of possibly facing Nadal.

"[We will] spread some fireworks on the court, like the good old times. I hope we get to meet because it will probably be one last dance for the both of us."

Djokovic owns a 30-29 head-to-head versus Nadal.