Garbine Muguruza has claimed that Rafael Nadal told her when he would retire.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s future looks unclear after he pulled out of the Laver Cup last week. He has not played a match since the Olympics.
Muguruza retired in April after spending more than a year on the sidelines. And she says Nadal also has a deadline for his career.
Nadal has barely played over the last couple of years. He returned from a 12-month layoff in January only to get injured again and has since only competed in clay-court tournaments.
His last match came more than six weeks ago when he crashed out of the Olympics men’s doubles event with Carlos Alcaraz. Since then, the 38-year-old has withdrawn from the US Open and the Laver Cup and his future is uncertain.
While Nadal has constantly shut down retirement chat, claiming he doesn’t know when he’ll stop playing, Muguruza revealed that he told her when he would end his career. “It’s hard to know him. He’s very shy,” the 2017 Wimbledon champion 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.”
Whether Nadal has committed to 2024 being his final year on tour, Muguruza believes it’s the right time for him to join her in retirement. She added: “He’s so ready. His body, his mind, just everything…
It’s time to also enjoy his kid! I see him smiling all the time with his baby. I’m like, ‘Why are you on the court still? Go home, take the boat, go in Mallorca.’ I think he gave everything he had.”
It remains to be seen what Nadal does but he is still signed up for the Six Kings Slam, a Saudi Arabia exhibition event taking place next month. Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer is also hoping the former world No. 1 will join the squad for Finals week in November.
