Before getting into the heart of the article, I would like to point out that as far as I’m concerned, Rafael Nadal should be left alone; the choice for his future is his alone and, as I reiterated in a recent editorial, I get bored every time I read that someone asks Rafa about his retirement, instead of enjoying the Spaniard who is still fighting on the court. However, the time has come for Nadal to make one of the hardest decisions of his life. The Spanish champion has always spoken of a sort of deadline to understand what his future in the world of tennis will be or not; a deadline that he will now have to deal with by digging deep and looking inside himself.
Nadal’s adventure at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games ended this evening with the defeat in the doubles match played with Carlos Alcaraz and lost against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
“This phase is over. I gave myself time until the Olympic Games to figure out what to do for the rest of my career, and today that phase is over. I need to go home and analyze the situation in cold blood, to see what desire and strength I have left,” explained Nadal at the press conference.
I will spend time with my family after 4 months of enjoying tennis again, despite some problems and disappointments. When I have a clear idea of what I will do in the future with or without a racket in my hand, I will let you know. If I don’t have the desire, the strength or the motivation to continue, I will hang up my racket. When I have calmed down, I will decide what my next step will be. Last match on Court Philippe-Chatrier? Maybe, I don’t know. If so, I felt unforgettable emotions. The crowd showed me love. The fans supported me in every second of my matches,” he added.
What I want to add and emphasize again in this situation is the evidence: only Rafael Nadal knows the future of Rafael Nadal. Let’s leave him alone to make the decisions he has to make. And I emphasize again: let’s enjoy Nadal, as long as he plays, because he is a gift.
Regarding his possible participation in the US Open, the tennis player explained: “At the moment I think I will not participate in the US Open, but I will let you know soon. I do not think I can give a clear answer to everyone, I need time and I feel that this is difficult.”
Nadal explained that he plays and intends to always play with the intent of experiencing emotions but still trying to win, but the priority is to play for emotions, innate feelings that make him feel great during each match.
“I repeat: maybe it was my last match at Roland Garros, I will always be grateful to the Parisian crowd for always supporting me, on every occasion. I will spend time with my family after 4 months in which I enjoyed playing tennis again, despite some problems and disappointments. When I have a clear idea of what I will do in the future with or without a racket in my hand I will let you know. If I do not have the desire, the strength or the motivation to continue, I will hang up my racket,” he said.
