(Video) Roger Federer shares hint on Rafael Nadal’s retirement at the Laver Cup

The tennis world is expecting Rafael Nadal to retire at the Laver Cup, just like Roger Federer did in 2022.

(Video) Roger Federer shares hint on Rafael Nadal’s retirement at the Laver Cup

Roger Federer (inset) and Rafael Nadal (via X)

Tennis great Roger Federer recently revealed an interesting conversation he had with his long-term rival Rafael Nadal. The Swiss legend returned to New York today (September 3), a city where he won five consecutive US Open titles.

Speaking in a Today Show interview, Federer expressed hope that Nadal would play at the Laver Cup. The Laver Cup is the only tournament on the Spaniard’s calendar in which he is confirmed to participate.

YouTube video
I spoke with him last week. He wanted to ask me something, so we chatted. I felt a little bit sorry for him as the summer didn't pan out well for him. At the French Open, he had a tough draw. At the Olympics, he had a tough draw, and he wanted to win a medal with [Carlos] Alcaraz. However, he can do whatever he wants. He has been one of the most iconic players in the game. That's also what I told him.
Roger Federer in an interview with Today Show Interview on NBC

Nadal confirmed his unavailability for the US Open after a tough summer. The left-hander lost in the second round to Novak Djokovic and also couldn’t secure a medal in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.

FS Video

I just hope that he can go out on his terms. He’s had a great career and I’m happy we have had so many moments with Novak, Murray and we, the four of us. It will be great if Rafa gets to play the Laver Cup, he has of course said that.

Roger Federer added

Nadal is set to play his fourth Laver Cup this year. He last represented Team Europe in 2022, which turned out to be Federer’s retirement tournament.

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Rafael Nadal’s disastrous 2024 season

Rafael Nadal made his return to the tennis tour after an 11-month hiatus. The Spaniard had undergone hip surgery following an injury sustained at the Australian Open last year. Although Nadal returned to the hard courts of Brisbane, the majority of his season was spent on his favorite surface, clay. He returned to clay in Barcelona, losing to Alex de Minaur in the Round of 32.

Rafael Nadal Paris Olympics
Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

However, he avenged his defeat shortly after against the Australian in the Madrid Masters. The Spaniard reached the Round of 16 in the Spanish capital before losing to Jiri Lehecka. After another early exit at the Italian Open, Nadal competed at Roland Garros, a tournament he has won an astonishing 14 times. He was drawn against fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the first round. Despite his best efforts, he suffered only the fourth defeat of his career in the clay slam.

Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon to prepare for the Paris Olympics. He played in the Swedish Open, where he reached his first ATP final in over two years before losing to Nuno Borges. At the Olympics, he once again faced a tough draw, projected to play Novak Djokovic in the second round. The Serbian won in straight sets despite a late fightback from the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Nadal also lost in the men’s doubles quarterfinals, where he paired with Carlos Alcaraz.

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