Rafael Nadal hoping he retires at the 2024 Paris Olympics but the French Open could change things amid potential ‘farewell season’

Rafael Nadal has been out of action for over eight months now and will only return next season.

Rafael Nadal hoping he retires at the 2024 Paris Olympics but the French Open could change things amid potential ‘farewell season’

Rafael Nadal (Image via NBC News)

Ever since his last game at the 2023 Australia Open, Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal talked to the media for the first time as he sat down for an interview with Movistar Plus. The 37-year-old talked about almost everything, from his comeback tournament to his farewell season as well as Novak Djokovic winning his 24th Grand Slam. 

While Nadal gave a diplomatic answer when asked about Djokovic, the Spaniard revealed which tournament could be his last ever to a certain extent. Although he did not state it clearly, Nadal hinted that he wants to hang up his racket at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But he also did not deny the fact that it might end at Roland Garros as well. 

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Nadal, who is still recovering from multiple surgeries he has undergone in the last eight months, said that he is not sure about his comeback or farewell as he is still assessing his body. The 37-year-old said that while retiring at the Olympic Games would be a befitting end, he is not getting his hopes high yet. 

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“Leaving tennis in the Olympic Games would be nice if one is up for it. But I am cautious. If I really feel that I have any chance of winning at Roland Garros, I would have to plan things and choose a schedule for it. If I’m not around to do it, I can still do a farewell tour for sentimental reasons. But I don’t have an answer for these things yet,” said Nadal (as quoted by Marca). 

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The 2024 season won’t be the last for Rafael Nadal

Although several reports have claimed that the 22-time Grand Slam winner might call it quits next year at the most, Rafael Nadal has kept the suspense around his last season. The Spaniard, while talking about his farewell season, said that even he does not know when he wants to hang up. While Nadal addressed the concerns around his fitness, the 36-year-old said no one knows what will happen. 

Rafael Nadal Paris Olympics
Rafael Nadal (Image via Getty)

“Who knows? What if suddenly my body recovers & I feel strong & full of energy to continue? As soon as I know the answer, I’ll share it. I live day by day. My hope is that within two months, around mid-November, I can have the clarity to say, ‘Where am I? How am I? How is the injury progressing?’” said the Spanish ace. 

Notably, Nadal is touted to make a comeback at the 2024 Australian Open, and his fans would expect him to replicate what he did two years ago. However, at the moment, the Spaniard is way behind in terms of the fitness required to pull off a Grand Slam win. 

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