“I know how difficult it is to let go,” Rafael Nadal’s dilemma summarizes perfectly as Jimmy Connors analyses the impending fall of Spain’s greatness

Jimmy Connors believes it's time for Rafael Nadal to let go after struggling to get back to full fitness and compete in tournaments.

“I know how difficult it is to let go,” Rafael Nadal’s dilemma summarizes perfectly as Jimmy Connors analyses the impending fall of Spain’s greatness

Jimmy Connors and Rafael Nadal (image via Imago/X)

Rafael Nadal remains uncertain with injury worries and health, forcing the Spanish star to compete in only one tournament this season. 

With no certain date for a comeback after withdrawing from two Masters tournaments, tennis legend Jimmy Connors believes it’s time for the Spaniard to retire.

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In what has been an uncertain period for Nadal, things look to get worse as the season enters its fourth month. The Spanish star had a momentous comeback in January after being away for eleven months. Reaching the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International, the only thing fans prayed for was to remain fit.

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However, with a muscle injury, the 37-year-old pulled out of the 2024 Australian Open. After two months, he withdrew from the Indian Wells Masters despite landing with Novak Djokovic in the California desert. A few days ago, he withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters, making fans wonder when he would fully return.

Playing hurt is no fun, especially as you get older. If you're not careful, you can even do more damage. Rafa's been around long enough, he knows himself better than anybody and nobody should make that decision but him. I know how difficult it is to let go.
Jimmy Connors said on the Advantage Connors podcast.

However, his 22 Grand Slams speak volumes about how much he is a true legend of the game despite recent ordeals. That has led Jimmy Connors to admit that it is time for the Spanish legend to let go.

No matter what, you try to do anything to stay around and do what you've done at the top of the game for so long and been so successful and you know, sometimes, it’s tough to let go.
Continuing further, he added

The last match Nadal played was a Netflix exhibition with Carlos Alcaraz. Though he played well, he eventually lost to the young talent. 

Rafael Nadal reveals his struggle with physical problems

Rafael Nadal has revealed that physical problems have hindered him from being fully fit.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)
On a personal level, everything is good. On a professional level, it is difficult and you also have to weigh the bad moments and those you would never have imagined experiencing. I don’t rule out anything, not even being in Barcelona or Madrid, but at the moment I am not able to get there due to physical problems.
Rafael Nadal said

With the clay season already begun, Nadal’s missing the Monte Carlo Masters has cast a huge doubt on his French Open participation, which he has won a record 14 times. With that being said, there is no denying that it will be a big miss when it starts on May 26.

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