Rafael Nadal has yet to confirm whether the Olympic Games was his latest event contending for a major title, yet there are increasing rumours that he may be about to call time on his remarkable career.
Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s high-profile run in the men’s doubles at the Olympics came to an end with a 6-2, 6-4 loss to American fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram last week.
The 14-time French Open champion gave a lingering wave to all sides of Court Philippe Chatrier, but it seems very likely not to be just Roland Garros that does not see Nadal on court again.
Asked whether he would head to the United States, where events building up to the US Open are already underway, the 38-year-old said: “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.
“We’ll see if I keep playing the normal tour. But of course I will be supporting him from home and wishing him all the very best every single time. Even if I keep playing or not, I love tennis.
“If that’s the last time, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and the support every single second that I have been on court. It’s super, super special to feel that in particular in this place.
“At this stage of my career, I play for feelings, I play for emotions more than for results.
“I won enough in my career, much more than what I ever dreamed. For me, it’s about enjoying different experiences, and that’s another lifetime experience, to share with Carlos, an amazing player who I think is going to be of course one of the best of the history of this sport.”
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Nadal backed up those comments by pulling out of the US Open and he has yet to confirm whether he will play in any more regular tour events in 2024.
The void on his schedule is fuelling rumours that his appearance at the Laver Cup may be his final bow as a professional player.
That would see him follow in the footsteps of his great friend and rival Roger Federer, who called time on his great career at the Laver Cup two years ago.
Federer has even hinted he may come out of retirement to play alongside Nadal in a doubles match at the Laver Cup, following the script that saw the duo team up for Federer’s final match as a professional player.
This year’s Laver Cup takes place at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany from 20 until 22 September and former world No 1 Andy Roddick believes the event could be the perfect stage for Nadal to bow out.
“The Laver Cup could be a celebration. We’re all better when he’s around. Hopefully we’ll see him in the big finals again. I don’t know. It feels like this could be the end,” he said on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast.
“I’m certainly not like the greatest players of all time. I can’t figure it out, but I don’t know if he wants to compete for titles in Bastad. I don’t know if it’s his lane. We’ll see.
“We don’t know what he’ll do, we’re not in his inner circle, but I find it hard to believe that he’ll put in the effort and try to give Roland Garros another chance. But I’ve been wrong about him in the past and any analyst who has an opinion is just guessing.”
