“It is time to take another direction,” Rafael Nadal drops subtle retirement hints after loss in Barcelona, but he sure isn’t going down without a fight

Nadal thinks life is clearly showing him the path, but whether it's more competition or retirement, only the Spaniard knows.

“It is time to take another direction,” Rafael Nadal drops subtle retirement hints after loss in Barcelona, but he sure isn’t going down without a fight

Rafael Nadal (Image via Imago)

Rafael Nadal came back to tennis courts for the first time since last playing at the Brisbane International this year. At the ongoing Barcelona Open, the Spaniard went past India’s Flavio Cobolli in his first round but couldn’t progress into the Round of 16 after Australia’s Alex de Minaur defeated him 7-5, 6-1.

After his match, the 12-time Barcelona Open champion reiterated that his main focus is his health, and of his avoiding taking any risks. He also subtly dropped retirement hints, though currently, he is aiming to play at the Madrid Open.

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We were all aware of what there was, the main thing was to play here, prioritizing health, without taking any risks. Although this goes a little against my philosophy and my way of understanding the sport, this is how I have been doing it all my life, going to the limit at every opportunity, right now it is time to take another direction.
Rafael Nadal said during the press conference

Nadal thinks life is showing him the path clearly, but whether it’s more competition or retirement, it’s only the Spaniard knows. All this time, he wants to keep playing and keep progressing.

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Nadal suffered a micro tear in his muscle during his quarterfinal match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International. Last year, he injured a hip flexor during the Australian Open, underwent surgery, and subsequently missed the rest of the season.

Rafael Nadal will give his everything at Roland Garros

After losing the match to Alex de Minaur, Rafael Nadal claimed he did not give his all but will try to do so in the coming weeks, hinting that he would deliver his best at the upcoming Roland Garros, where he is a record 14-time champion.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Image via Imago)
It wasn't today that I had to give everything and die, I have to give myself the chance to do that in a few weeks, or at least try to.
Rafael Nadal said during the press conference

The French Open is scheduled to start on May 20 with the final on June 9. Nadal has dominated on clay courts like no other! He continuously won the French Open, from 2005 to 2008, 2010 to 2014, and 2017 to 2020, last winning in 2022.

In Madrid, Nadal has lifted the trophy five times. The tournament will start on April 22, right after the conclusion of the Barcelona Open.

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