“Next year might be his last,” Casper Ruud believes Rafael Nadal may not play after 2024
Rafael Nadal has already announced that he will not take further part in 2023 and that 2024 may be his last season.
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Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal (Image Credit: Essentially Sports)
Casper Ruud is playing some of the best tennis of his life right now. Having said that, the Norwegian suffered a loss at the hands of another rising star from Denmark, Holger Rune, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6, in an all-Scandinavian semifinal at the 2023 Rome Masters. The match was an instant classic, with multiple momentum swings in favor of both players in the first two sets.
Nevertheless, Ruud performed brilliantly throughout the tournament and will look to go a step further than the previous year and win his maiden Grand Slam at the upcoming 2023 French Open. After the completion of the match, Ruud sat down for a post-match conference. He was asked multiple questions regarding his latest match against Rune.
However, besides that, Ruud was also asked to give his reaction to defending champion Rafael Nadal withdrawing from the Major at Roland Garros and also announcing that 2024 may be his last season as a professional player.
Reacting to the same, the World No.4 said, “Yeah, obviously was a lot of speculation whether he was going to play Roland Garros or not, I guess. I’m sure he tried the best that he could to be ready and fit. He’s obviously always going to be the favorite if he plays. I think he was sort of chasing something that was impossible physically. I think he had a lot of pain and sort of decided that I gave all this effort for sort of nothing and not be ready for Roland Garros.”
Viewing that the decision taken by Nadal is correct, Ruud further said, “I think it’s going to be smart decision to take some months off, like he said. Next year might be the last. Who knows. I hope that he can have a nice finish and end to his career. I’m sure he hopes that, as well. I mean, it’s inevitable that a player, no matter how good and great you are, will at some point end their career. Roger did it last year. Might look like Rafa is one of the next sort of legends to do so.”
“I think that we will see him around in a year or so here maybe in Rome, Roland Garros maybe. Who knows. I think that’s his goal and wish, and I hope that he can fulfill those goals and wishes,” concluded Ruud, wishing the Spaniard all the best for his future endeavors.
Rafael Nadal is not going to defend his crown at the French Open this year
The 36-year-old Spaniard, a 14-time winner at Roland Garros, recently announced that he is withdrawing from the 2023 French Open and will not play anymore this year. He further added that 2024 may be his last season as a professional player.
This essentially means we will get a new champion this year in the men’s singles category, as Nadal is the defending champion. Ironically, it was only Casper Ruud whom Nadal defeated in straight sets in the final a year ago to claim his record-extending 14th Major at Roland Garros.
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Vitasta Singh
(691 Articles Published)