Rafael Nadal Revisits His Legendary Tennis Career: “That Chapter is Completely Closed”

Rafael Nadal recently revisited his legendary career without nostalgia. He understands that his place is no longer on the ATP tour, that he has done whatever he could, and now he no longer misses competing.

Nadal suffered a hip injury during the 2023 Australian Open, and it ultimately became the reason why his career ended. He skipped the remainder of the season, and after returning to the tour at the 2024 Brisbane International, did not play in another tournament until the clay swing, where he made his comeback at the Barcelona Open.

He competed in Madrid, Rome, and at Roland Garros. But the ‘King of Clay’ suffered an opening-round exit, losing in straight sets to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev.

And after the French Open, he reached the final of the Nordea Open but failed to go past Nuno Borges. After competing at the Paris Olympics, Nadal, in October, announced that he would be calling time on his career at the Davis Cup.

I’m lucky that it’s a closed chapter, a closed chapter. Luckily, I think I reached the limit of my capabilities. I don’t think mentally, but physically, yes […] Today, I can tell you no, I don’t miss it because I know my place is no longer there. That chapter is completely closed. I have great memories of it, but I don’t dwell on those memories every day. I say that with complete honesty. I’m in a different stage of my life, and I’m enjoying it.

Rafael Nadal said during the opening of his new museum at the Rafa Nadal Academy (H/T: ATP Tour)

In his final match, Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp during the Spain versus the Netherlands quarterfinals. Last year, the 14-time Roland Garros champion was honored with a grand retirement ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Andy Roddick on whether Jannik Sinner is as good as Rafael Nadal on clay

Roland Garros kicks off on May 24th. Now that Carlos Alcaraz will not be playing at Roland Garros, Andy Roddick questions if Jannik Sinner would be the heavy favorite to win, just like Rafael Nadal always used to be in the clay-court Major.

I’m not saying that the comparison is over 20 years of the event… You could argue his next five challengers are all compromised in some shape or form! The conversation, because you don’t want to be disrespectful to Rafa, he’s the best I’ve ever seen on any surface, and to me, it’s not close. I know everyone is like Alcaraz and Sinner would beat him, no, even with as dominant as Sinner has been, no. Me saying this isn’t a Sinner versus Rafa conversation.

Novak Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career and has won three French Open titles, while Alexander Zverev, the three-time Major finalist and the runner-up in 2024, has lost nine straight matches to Sinner. Alcaraz is the two-time reigning champion, but a wrist injury forced him to withdraw.

Djokovic did beat Sinner in the semifinals of this Australian Open and later lost to Alcaraz. But the surface this time is clay, and Sinner has been winning titles one after the other since the Indian Wells Masters. He completed the Sunshine Double, beat Alcaraz in Monte Carlo, then breezed past Zverev in Madrid.

The four-time Major champion, who is also on a 33-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, is set to lock horns with Casper Ruud in the final of the Italian Open. He will be playing the title clash for the second consecutive time. Last year, Alcaraz denied him the win. If Sinner wins, he will become the second man after Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Keeps it Real on Potentially Playing like a Top-3 Player After Italian Open Loss