“But he looks good,” Roger Federer on Rafael Nadal’s decision to pull out of Laver Cup and what the Spaniard’s future looks like

Roger Federer has reacted to Rafael Nadal's Laver Cup withdrawal and given his thoughts on what the Spaniard's future looks like.

“But he looks good,” Roger Federer on Rafael Nadal’s decision to pull out of Laver Cup and what the Spaniard’s future looks like

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

Roger Federer has admitted that he was hoping for Rafael Nadal to play one match at the upcoming Laver Cup. However, the Spaniard recently pulled out of the event, with Grigor Dimitrov being named as his replacement.

Federer, who retired at the tournament in 2022, has said that Nadal looked to be in good shape and yet opted to sit out of the event. While he would love to see Nadal compete on the ATP Tour for another season, he said that only the Mallorca native can answer any question about his future.

YouTube video
I was hoping he could play one more match, but he just said he preferred not to, that he couldn’t and that he didn’t feel ready. But he looks good. I think he just has to decide what’s next and I think that’s the phase he’s going through right now. He’s given everything for this sport. It would be phenomenal if he could play another season, but only Rafa can answer that question.
Roger Federer told Mopo
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Rafael Nadal‘s decision to withdraw from the Laver Cup has only fuelled more speculation about his retirement. It has been a difficult season for the former World No. 1 so far. He has taken part in just six tournaments all year, with just one match (a first-round exit at the French Open) coming at the Grand Slams.

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Roger Federer gives his views on Rafael Nadal’s chances at 2025 Australian Open

While Roger Federer has wished for Rafael Nadal to play for one more season on the ATP Tour, he has refused to speculate on when or where he will return to action. He even refused to speculate on the Spaniard’s chance of taking part in the season-opening Major, the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal
With Rafa we don’t know – it remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to make a prediction on Rafa because of the little tennis he has played this year.
Roger Federer said (via Tennis365)

The Swiss Maestro, however, has picked Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz to be the front runners for the title in Melbourne.

I look forward to Australia which is the next Slam. I think he [Djokovic] is definitely going to be one of the favorites along with Sinner and Alvarez. I think the Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow.
Roger Federer added
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While Djokovic has failed to win any title this season, let alone a Major, Sinner and Alcaraz have both had excellent campaigns. Sinner won the Australian Open and US Open while Alcaraz took home the French Open and Wimbledon titles.