“Could be the end for Rafa?” John McEnroe predicts Rafael Nadal will retire after THIS tournament
John McEnroe thinks Rafael Nadal, who has been dealing with form and fitness problems, will retire after the Laver Cup.
John McEnroe, Rafael Nadal (Images via Wikipedia, X)
Rafael Nadal is at the twilight of his career and will soon follow in the footsteps of Roger Federer and say farewell to tennis. John McEnroe, however, thinks Nadal will retire next month following the Laver Cup.
After his exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nadal announced his withdrawal from the US Open. He is currently not active on the ATP Tour but will be back in September for the Laver Cup.
Just like what Federer did in 2022, McEnroe believes Nadal would do the same. The 2022 Laver Cup was Federer’s last tournament of his career, where he played doubles alongside Nadal.
It seems like he is trying to get the body up to a level where he feels like he can play. Maybe see what he can do at the start of next year? I don’t know and this is a total guess, but the Laver Cup could be the end for Rafa?John McEnroe said (via Tennis365)
The 22-time Grand Slam champion will be a part of Team Europe captained by Bjorn Borg at the Laver Cup. McEnroe, on the other hand, will lead Team World.
John McEnroe references Andy Murray to explain why Rafael Nadal would retire soon
Andy Murray bid farewell to tennis after the Paris Olympics, but the tennis community very well knows how much he still wanted to keep playing. Due to the injuries, he had to hang up his racket as his body was not helping him to carry on playing.
John McEnroe referenced Murray’s last days on the court and explained how Rafael Nadal is also facing the same problem. McEnroe feels that no matter how much Nadal still wants to keep going, injuries will hamper his progress and eventually he will be forced to retire.
It’s hard to walk away when you still want to play, and you look at Murray, and he wanted it so bad. It sucks when your body doesn’t cooperate, and we will see Rafa. I’d be a little surprised if he carried on playing.John McEnroe said
On the ATP Tour, the 38-year-old last played at the Swedish Open where he reached his first final of the season but lost in straight sets to Nuno Borges. Prior to this tournament, the 14-time French Open champion got knocked out of the first round at Roland Garros. The World No. 154 is 12-7 on the season and is yet to win his first title this year.
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