Rafael Nadal’s friend and former World No. 10 Juan Monaco believes the Spaniard’s not going to retire in 2024 and could continue playing

Former tennis player shares insights into Nadal's mindset and potential future plans.

Rafael Nadal’s friend and former World No. 10 Juan Monaco believes the Spaniard’s not going to retire in 2024 and could continue playing

Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco (Image via The New Nation)

Former player and a very good friend of Rafael Nadal, Juan Monaco believes 2024 is not going to be the last year of the Spaniard, despite his hints at retirement. Monaco, who shares a close bond with Nadal, in a recent interview with CLAY, shed light on the Spanish maestro’s relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering commitment to triumph on the tennis court.

“All his inner circle says ‘Well, I think this is the last year, this is the last year’. But no, he has this power of conviction that he can do anything, and he’s not going to stop,” asserted the Argentine.

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When asked about Nadal’s future in the sport, Monaco expressed his belief that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would not bid farewell to professional tennis in 2024 as previously speculated. “I don’t think so, I honestly don’t think (he’ll say goodbye). He’s going to set the limit for himself,” Monaco revealed, hinting at Nadal’s desire to continue competing at the highest level.

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Nadal, who is renowned as the ‘King of clay’ pulled out of French Open and the Wimbledon due to a hip injury that made him undergo an intensive arthroscopic surgery. His chances of playing at the US Open also look slim because of this. All these reasons and Nadal’s constant hinting at retirement made everyone think that 2024 is going to be the last year for the 37-year-old. But the former world number ten seems to think the opposite.

As per Monaco, the time off tennis and the operations that Nadal took so that he can perform well in the Roland Garros next year, and probably the one after that. And if Nadal wins the RG next year, he definitely won’t say goodbye to tennis, as per the Argentine.

Q-Nadal said he will say goodbye in 2024, but if he does it is to compete and win, or not?

– I think if he decides to return to train hard to return to the tour is to win. If he doesn’t, he won’t come back.

Q-And if he wins, does he say goodbye?

– I don’t think so!

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Juan Monaco believes Rafael Nadal has very high standards

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Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Having developed a deep understanding of Nadal’s character and work ethic, Monaco emphasized that Nadal’s mindset revolves around victory rather than merely participating in tournaments.

“He prepares to win, he doesn’t prepare to make the quarterfinals. He has a very high standard,” Monaco affirmed, highlighting Nadal’s relentless pursuit of success.

As per Monaco, Nadal didn’t participate in RG because he realized during training that he is not going to win, something that again signals his high standards. “I think he has not played Roland Garros because he has seen in training that he was not ready to win Roland Garros, although he could have played it,” Monaco shared, providing insights into the self-awareness that characterizes Nadal’s approach.

While the speculation regarding Nadal’s potential retirement remains a topic of intrigue, Monaco’s comments hint at the possibility of witnessing the Spaniard’s formidable presence on the tennis circuit beyond 2024 and winning multiple grand slams. Tennis enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await Nadal’s decision, eager to witness more of his awe-inspiring performances and relentless pursuit of sporting greatness.

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