Former Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza has revealed a side of Rafael Nadal’s personality away from tennis by saying “he’s very shy”. Nadal’s legendary career is winding down and there are questions whether he has already played his last match after withdrawing from the Laver Cup.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner has competed in just two of the last eight major tournaments since 2022 but did play at the Paris Olympics. Despite missing the recent US Open, Nadal had long been slated to feature at the Laver Cup in Berlin before subsequently pulling out on Sunday.
It has led to questions over his future, with Nadal neither mentioning retirement or when he will be competing in a statement. While displaying a confident persona on the court, Nadal’s compatriot Muguruza has revealed that he is a much different person away from the sport as the 38-year-old mulls over his next move.
It’s hard to know him. He’s very shy,” Muguruza told Tennis.com. “We talked a little bit at the Laureus Awards in Madrid earlier this year. He said, ‘This is my last year,’ but he didn’t share anything else. I don’t want to ask him personal questions.”
Two-time Grand Slam winner Muguruza, 30, can empathise with Nadal’s situation, having decided to retire from the sport in April. The former world No.1 had been struggling with injuries but confessed that she has no regrets after calling time on her 12-year career.
“I was so ready,” Muguruza explained. “Life was sending me signals to me physically. I was just looking forward to that next chapter.” It remains to be seen when Nadal will follow in Muguruza’s footsteps – but there is a hint that the tennis legend has already eyed up his last-ever event.
Nadal’s admission to Muguruza that this will be his final year suggests that he could choose to bow out on home soil at the Davis Cup Finals, which will be held in Malaga. Spain recently made their way to the quarter-finals and their Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has been open about the prospect of four-time winner Nadal joining the team in November.
“I spoke to Rafa, but we don’t know anything yet,” Ferrer said. “There is a possibility that he could be with us in Malaga in November. His goal was the Olympics this year, then he stopped. He needed to rest and spend time with his family, so it was right not to call him up now.
“I will speak to him later. The important thing is that he is well. If he arrives in good condition in November, he would certainly be a player we can count on. There is plenty of time to define the team that will take to the field in Malaga. Now they have to focus on the tournaments. I have a lot of good players to choose from.
