I get bored reading the usual questions from the media asking Rafael Nadal about his retirement. The defeat against Novak Djokovic, who could have won with an even clearer score, has opened the usual debate on the Spaniard’s possible retirement. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, still disappointed by the negative performance, did not appreciate the question and responded piquedly to the journalists present in Paris.
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The Spaniard explained that he will probably make a decision after the Olympic Games if he no longer feels competitive. Nadal, as he reiterated in Bastad, believes that the level expressed on the court does not reflect what he shows during training and thinks he can still make progress from a physical point of view.
“Every single day you ask me if I retire. I try to do my best every time I step on the court, when I decide to retire I will let you know. You can’t wait for me after every match with this thought, quit or not quit. I’ve enjoyed it for so many years, I’ve suffered with so many injuries in the last two years, so if I feel that I’m not competitive enough anymore, I will decide to retire and I will let you know. But until that time you can’t always ask me if I retire or not,” he said.
I completely agree with Rafa. It’s a gift to see the Spaniard on the court. It was a gift to have seen one last match between Rafa and Nole in a fantastic background like Court Philippe Chatrier.
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Nadal’s adventure at the Olympics is not over yet. The Spaniard is in fact engaged in the doubles tournament together with Carlos Alcaraz.
“Novak deserves to be congratulated for the high level he expressed. He gave me no respite and I did not make things difficult for him. He commanded the rallies and I was unable to push him back. I am not able to defend like I did years ago. It is easy to analyze. I did not play at the level that was needed to create problems for him. I have to recognize the superiority of my opponent and also that I did not play as I should have. In the second set there was a reaction. I raised the level a little and he started to make some mistakes. He played at a much higher level than me.
He was a little nervous at the end. I gave a little more, but I felt tired. I had the possibility to change the match, but I was not able to do it. Every time I play here, I play at home. I can only appreciate the love they show me. It is a satisfaction to feel this affection in the most special place of my career. I can only thank them. Now I will fight to the death in doubles and we will see how things go. I have to recover as best I can to give me and Carlos a chance to win a medal,” said Rafa at the end of the match with Djokovic.