World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has said that he’s unlikely to play until the age of 36 like his great rival Roger Federer.
After a six-month injury layoff in 2016, Swiss superstar Federer made a spectacular comeback in 2017, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, taking his Major count from 17 to 19. Besides his success in Melbourne and at the All England Club, Roger bagged a tour best seven trophies and defeated Nadal in all their matches in 2017.
Nadal, who was written off by critics after having a torrid time on the court in 2016 claimed to Grand Slam titles – Roland Garros and US Open and also finished 2017 as the top ranked player in the world behind Federer.
Nadal was questioned about what he thought about Federer’s dominance in his mid-30s and whether he could see himself competing on the ATP tour as long as Federer and he told this to Spanish paper AS: “I’m not thinking about that.
“Everyone has their path and they are all different.
“I think that what is good for one person isn’t necessarily good for someone else.
“I’m 31 and the 37th birthday Federer is going to celebrate for me is a long way off.
“I just concentrate on my day-to-day and I doubt he was thinking down those lines six years ago.
“It depends on your fitness and your mind and where you want to go.
“When I was 26 I didn’t think about whether I’d still be playing at 31.
“And right now I can’t see myself playing at the same age as Federer.
“But you never know, because it’s all down to fitness, having the enthusiasm to carry on playing and being prepared to do so.”
“And right now I can’t see myself playing at the same age as Federer.
“But you never know, because it’s all down to fitness, having the enthusiasm to carry on playing and being prepared to do so.”
