Rafael Nadal is pumping the brakes on his US Open participation talk as the 38-year-old Spaniard highlights that he won’t be making any definitive or clear decisions until the end of the Paris Olympics.
Earlier this week, the US Open released its entry and Nadal – who is using a protected ranking of No. 9 – popped up on the list. To no one’s surprise, the 22-time Grand Slam champion signing up for the US Open sent tennis fans into a frenzy and some thought it was a great indication that the 38-year-old was planning to resume his career.
But after his Bastad round-of-16 win over Cameron Norrie, Nadal poured water on the recent talks surrounding him. When asked if he had made up his mind for the post-Olympics period, Nadal explained that he signed up for the US Open just in case he wanted to play there before underlining that nothing was set in stone since he was “not sure at all” of competing at Flushing Meadows.
No. I needed to book (entry) to have the chance to decide after that (Olympics). Nothing changed for me. I’m going to decide what’s going on after the Olympics. I will be playing in the Laver Cup, but to be clear – to not create false expectations – I’m not at all sure at all to be in NY,” Nadal said.
The 38-year-old then once again repeated that any possible decision on him continuing his career could only happen after the Paris Olympics.
“No position today. The position will not happen until the end of the Olympics,” Nadal added.
What Nadal said about the prospect of changing his retirement plans at the French Open?
Since this year’s French Open edition was believed to be Nadal’s last French Open, the tournament organizers had a special ceremony prepared. But Nadal rejected it simply because he didn’t want a scenario in which he would get a farewell and then show up to the tournament next year.
However, moments after losing to Alexander Zverev in the French Open first round, Nadal stayed on the court and took a microphone to address the crowd.
Later, the record 14-time French Open champion explained that if he “feels competitive and healthy enough,” anything could happen.
“If I keep enjoying doing what I am doing and I feel myself competitive and healthy enough to enjoy, I want to keep going for a while. I don’t know for how long, but I want to keep going for a while, because they are having fun, I am having fun, and I need to see — I need to give myself a little bit longer … to see if my level is growing and my body is holding, and then let’s make a decision,” Nadal said after his French Open exit.
How Nadal feels this week?
Following his early French Open loss, Nadal decided against playing any grass events and instead stayed on clay to practice there and prepare for the Paris Olympics.
And this week, Nadal resumed action by kicking off his Bastad run with a 6-3 6-4 win over Leo Borg and a 6-4 6-4 victory over Cameron Norrie, respectively. After beating former world No. 8 Norrie, the 38-year-old Spaniard revealed that he was experiencing “great feelings.”
“Great feelings. I’ve been a while without playing on the Tour, since Roland Garros. To have the chance to compete well against a great player like Cameron is a great feeling. I think I played in some moments good tennis, in some moments I need to play a little bit more aggressive, but that is part of the journey today,” Nadal said after beating Norrie in Bastad.
I haven’t been competing very often, so matches and victories like today help. To be in rhythm the whole match and hold the pressure on the opponent the whole match, that’s something that I need to improve, because I didn’t play enough.”
Against 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Norrie, Nadal was tested before sealing a two-set win. Midway through the second set, Nadal was 1-4 down before claiming back-to-back breaks to win the next five games and escape with a straight-set win.
“I probably played a little bit more aggressive with my backhand, which I think at the end of the match worked a little bit better. That makes the difference. With the forehand I am quite happy, and with the serve too,” Nadal shared.
If Nadal manages to win Bastad this week, it will certainly boost his confidence levels to the max ahead of the Paris Olympics. And if Nadal then also does well at the Olympics, that could easily lead to him deciding to play at the US Open.
