“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be perfect,” Andy Roddick believes Rafael Nadal is a ‘lot’ closer to the end of his illustrious career

According to Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal is much nearer to the conclusion of his illustrious career

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be perfect,” Andy Roddick believes Rafael Nadal is a ‘lot’ closer to the end of his illustrious career

Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal (Images via Tennis Infinity)

Rafael Nadal declared on May 18th that he is withdrawing from the 2023 Roland-Garros. The King of Clay is the defending champion but his return was shrouded in doubt due to his injuries. He is set to be dropped out of the ATP Top 100 rankings for the first time since 2003.

Rafael Nadal said, “I was even working as much as possible every single day for the last four months. It has been very difficult months because we were not able to find the solution to the problem that I had in Australia. Today I’m still in a position that I am not able to feel myself ready to compete at the standards that I need to be [at] to play at Roland Garros. I am not the guy that is going to be at Roland Garros and just try to be there and put myself in a position that I don’t like to be [in].”

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Nadal is already 36 and has not competed since January when he competed at the Australian Open. Andy Roddick, who is a former World No. 1, shared his views about Nadal’s withdrawal during a Tennis Channel live.

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“This is obviously very disappointing“, Andy Roddick said. Roddick said that it is still not known what Nadal meant when talking about his 2024 comeback. Roddick added that it is still in doubt when Nadal comes back, what kind of court he will play on, and which tournament he will compete in.

Roddick expressed that he believes Nadal’s career is close to ending. Fans are not ready to accept when players like Nadal are closer to hanging up their racquets. To the fans, these players are almost bigger than the game.

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Rafael Nadal gives hope by hinting 2024 return

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Credits: Twitter)

Nadal said that he is not retiring yet. He wants to come back and play in the 2024 ATP tournaments to say goodbye if his body allows it. “My idea and my motivation is [to] try to enjoy and try to say goodbye [to] all the tournaments that have been important for me in my tennis career during [next] year and just try to enjoy that, being competitive and enjoying being on the court,”

Nadal also expressed that he wanted to end his career on his own terms. 2024 might be his last year before retirement, but he does not want it to be a complimentary year. He wants to compete at the highest level and give it his all.

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