Rafael Nadal has hinted that his “very good experience” at the Paris Olympics could be his final act in tennis, as he contemplates retirement. The Spanish athlete has already landed in Mallorca and was greeted by his father, Sebastián, as he noted that it was “time to rest”.
Speaking to IB3 TV about his future, Nadal noted that he will spend time analysing his year in tennis and see how much of a chance he has to return to the sport. The 38-year-old failed to challenge for the medals in his last Olympics, being convincingly beaten by Novak Djokovic – who went on to claim his first gold medal – in the singles and reaching the quarter-finals with double partner Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking after the dust had settled, Nadal said: “It is time to rest, to take some time and in a few days to assess everything that has happened during these months and to figure out what I really want.
The event is different from the circuit and I have enjoyed it as much as I could. It has been a fun, positive week, it has not ended the way I wanted, but this is sport. I have not been at the level I needed to fight for medals and in the doubles we have not been successful.
The 22-time major winner also noted his success with doubles partner Alcaraz after their quarter-final defeat last week, as he said: “We have had a fantastic relationship, we have been happy, with intensity on the court, but it has not been possible. That is how it is. There is no need to analyse much more. I only have to analyse when I will have the flight back home.
The Spaniard has already won two gold medals, one in the singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and another in the doubles event with Marc Lopez at the 2016 Rio Games. He admitted that singles ‘was always going to be difficult’ but that he felt he and Alcaraz had a chance to medal in the doubles.
While Nadal and 21-year-old Alcaraz had a good run at the Paris Olympics, the pair were defeated by American duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles.
Nadal’s retirement seems closer than ever after his Olympics campaign, with the Spaniard suggesting he may not even play the last major of the year, the US Open. The 38-year-old admitted: “It looks like not but I’m going to let you know soon. For me now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me it looks difficult.”
The Spanish tennis ace has won 22 Grand Slam titles across his 23-year career, including a record 14 French Open trophies and Wimbledon twice. He also secured two Australian Open titles and four US Open wins.
