Rafael Nadal Admits Feeling ‘Strange’ As He Lost His ‘Competitive Spirit’ Right After Retirement

Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell in front of his family, fans, and the other members of the legendary Big 4.

Rafael Nadal Admits Feeling ‘Strange’ As He Lost His ‘Competitive Spirit’ Right After Retirement

Rafael Nadal (image via Corrine Dubreuil)

Rafael Nadal, after the emotional farewell at the Roland Garros, revealed that he hasn’t yet touched a tennis racket since calling time on his career at the Davis Cup last November. Nadal, right after his retirement, experienced a feeling unknown to him- he lost his competitive spirit.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, after winning his final French Open in 2022, didn’t produce great results in the rest of the season and went on to miss the 2023 season, playing just the Australian Open. His body could no longer support him to grind for hours on tennis courts when he made his comeback from injury at the Barcelona Open last year. And in October, he dropped the retirement announcement, sending shockwaves in the tennis world.

Nadal, however, doesn’t miss tennis much. He in fact is excited for the next chapter of his life and he is trying to find his next goals that can excite him.

I don’t need to compete in high stages. I’ll tell you something funny. When I retired, for the next few months, I lost all my competitive spirit. I don’t know why. I was playing golf and doing other things. I didn’t care if I won or lost. If I play well or if I play bad. It was a strange feeling for me…and not funny. I didn’t like to experience that.

Rafael Nadal said at the press conference

Nadal’s final singles match was against Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands. His last clay-court match, however, was against his longtime rival and eventual winner Novak Djokovic in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Jim Courier thinks Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s retirement affected Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray were part of Rafael Nadal‘s retirement ceremony. Djokovic also attended the farewell of Federer during the 2022 Laver Cup.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene)

He is 38 years old now and he too, if not in the near future, will hang up his racket. Former player Jim Courier thinks attending the tribute ceremonies of his two biggest rivals made the 24-time Grand Slam champion realize that his career too soon will come to an end.

Novak has been a part of two final moments for his greatest rivals. He was part of Team Europe in London at the O2 when Federer said goodbye. He was here, all four of them were, incredible scenes – lucky for us as fans. But he is seeing his tennis mortality in those moments. It’s certainly in his mind. He knows he is much closer to the finish.

Jim Courier said on TNT Sports

While Federer, Murray, and Nadal are enjoying their next phase of life after retirement, Djokovic is still chasing titles. He entered the Roland Garros after ending his trophy drought at the Geneva Open by beating Hubert Hurkacz, becoming the third man after Jimmy Connors and Federer to win 100 or more singles titles.

He moved past Mackenzie McDonald to secure a berth in the second round where he will be locking horns with home favorite Corentin Moutet. The Frenchman knocked out compatriot Clement Tabur to set up the clash with the three-time French Open champion.

Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and since that victory, he only reached a Major final once- at Wimbledon last year which he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. Last year in the clay-court Major, Djokovic had progressed to the quarterfinals but an injury forced him to withdraw from it. The Serb last won the French Open in 2023.

Also read: Joao Fonseca Honors ‘Legend’ Gustavo Kuerten After Commanding Opening Round win at Roland Garros