Rafael Nadal Can’t Imagine Living Without ‘Goals’, Admits New Phase of Life Will be ‘Less Exciting’

Rafael Nadal hung up his racket last November after Spain's defeat to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup.

Rafael Nadal Can’t Imagine Living Without ‘Goals’, Admits New Phase of Life Will be ‘Less Exciting’

Rafael Nadal (image via Corrine Dubreuil)

For Rafael Nadal, goals are important; whether he is playing tennis or not. Now that he is no longer a tennis player, he is trying to find different jobs that are exciting.

The French Open- where the King of Clay has won a record 14 titles- is underway. On the first day, he was on Court Philippe-Chatrier for the grand and emotional farewell the Roland Garros organized, which they last year didn’t because Nadal had refused it.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion hung up his racket at the Davis Cup after Spain lost their quarterfinal tie to the Netherlands. It has been six months since his retirement and Nadal hasn’t yet touched the tennis racket.

He is still “learning” about the next phase of his life and is having “fun“. Tennis, he misses not that much; because he has given his all to the sport and only left it when his body could no longer support him to grind on the courts.

I have projects…I take care of my foundation too. And I take care of my family. I’m discovering what really motivates me for this new life. It’s not easy in terms of choosing your next goal. For me, it’s so important to have goals in this life. A life without objectives is more difficult from my point of view.

The French Open in 2024 was the last Grand Slam he played, losing in the first round in straight sets to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev. It was in the Roland Garros back in 2022 when he lifted his last Grand Slam title, by moving past Casper Ruud.

Now I’m enjoying this new phase of my life that I’m sure will be less exciting than my tennis career. Because the adrenaline that sports give you, I think it’s impossible to find other things in life. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be less happy.

Rafael Nadal added

Rafael Nadal once had scared Lorenzo Musetti

It was right after Lorenzo Musetti‘s first-round match the tribute ceremony was held. Musetti was still a teenager when he practiced with Rafael Nadal for the first time at the 2021 Roland Garros. The Italian ace, who never got the chance to play an official match against the Spaniard, recalled that moment in his press conference after moving past Yannick Hanfmann.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Image via X/The Globe and Mail)

I think I lost the set like 6-1 or 6-0. I was pretty scared about how he was playing. I was like 18 or 19.

Lorenzo Musetti said at the press conference

Musetti had made his debut at the French Open that year and progressed to the fourth round. He reached the last 16 once again in 2023, but he has not yet advanced beyond the fourth round in the clay-court Major. Last year, his campaign was ended by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.

Musetti will next be locking horns with Daniel Elahi Galan, the qualifier from Colombia who knocked out home favorite Valentin Royer to set up the clash with the 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist. Musetti has met the World No.122 twice on the tour, winning both matches. The upcoming clash will be their second encounter at the French Open, following last year’s first-round meeting.

If Musetti reaches the quarterfinals, he could meet Frances Tiafoe. In the semifinals, he could meet defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. He is projected to meet compatriot and World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the final.

Musetti is searching for his first title of the season. He has reached one final this season, at the Monte Carlo Masters, which he lost to Alcaraz.

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