“It’s a pity” Elena Rybakina shares her true feelings about Rafael Nadal’s final season on Tour

Rafael Nadal remains ambiguous about participating at the French Open despite a good run in Madrid.

“It’s a pity” Elena Rybakina shares her true feelings about Rafael Nadal’s final season on Tour

Elena Rybakina and Rafael Nadal (Image via: Imago)

Five-time Madrid Open champion Rafael Nadal brought the top-tier clay tournament to a standstill last night after playing his last game on the clay surface. In what looked like a bittersweet experience for the tennis community, Elena Rybakina admits she wishes he played many more years.

Nadal, who has been on his final Tour this season, fell short to tough Czech star Jiri Lehecka during their Round of 16 match in the Madrid Open. The Spanish star lost 7-5, 6-4 on a night his countrymen and women wanted him to win at all costs. 

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He had won his first three matches beating the likes of Darwin Blanch, Alex de Minaur, and Pedro Cachin to reach the last 16 of the tournament.

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Besides that, Nadal’s achievement in tennis looks insurmountable, and has been an idol and a point of reference for many old and young players. The Mallorcan native brought glory to his country when he became the record French Open winner with 14 crowns, seven more than Bjorn Borg in second place.

However, with his career nearing a close this year, Elena Rybakina, WTA No. 4, wants to watch him play for many more years.

Yeah, I actually watched it a little bit yesterday, but then I went to sleep. I didn't finish till the end. It’s pretty amazing to see him play. It's a pity, of course because you want to see him play many more years (smiling), but I think he had a great career. He's such a legend, and so many young players look up to him.
Elena Rybakina said

That’s not all; the WTA beauty further added that she’s hopeful Nadal can play at the French Open this year.

So I think it's great to see him play here, and hopefully at the French Open, he can also show some good tennis. Yeah, let's see. But it's always nice to see him play.
Elena Rybakina added via Madrid Open Press.

Meanwhile, Rybakina has reached the semifinals of the Madrid Open after beating fellow Kazakhstan Yulia Putintseva in the quarterfinals.

Rafael Nadal remains ambiguous about competing at the French Open

Rafael Nadal has remained ambiguous about his participation in participation in the French Open despite competing at the Madrid Open. The 37-year-old didn’t look like his young, ferocious self in the Spanish capital but was more competitive than when he played at the Barcelona Open a few weeks ago.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

After losing to Jiri Lehecka last night, he revealed that he would announce his participation at the French Open after playing at the Italian Open.

About Paris… after Rome I will say. I understand your urgency and I would also like to have a clear vision of what is going to happen, but since I don’t have it today, I can’t tell you more.
Rafael Nadal said

The Italian Open will begin from May 6th to May 19th. And Nadal is the record title champion with 10 crowns to his name in Rome.

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