Rafael Nadal has cooled down talk about retiring soon by telling reporters that this year’s French Open may not be his last.
Speculation about Nadal’s future in the sport has mounted in recent months following a series of injury setbacks that have sidelined him from action. Last year he suffered a hip injury which brought a premature end to his season before encountering more physical issues in 2024. The upcoming French Open will be only the fifth tournament he has played since January.
Speaking candidly to reporters on Saturday in Paris, Nadal admits that there is a ‘big, big chance’ that he might be making his final appearance at Roland Garros. However, he is not closing the door on his career just yet.
“It’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros, but if I have to tell you it’s 100 per cent my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what’s going on. I hope you understand.” Said Nadal.
“Myself, I have been going through a long process of recovery with a very difficult injury, almost two years of suffering, a recovering process that seems like I feel better now.
“I am not a guy that reacts because I lost there or I lost in the other place, no? I react about my personal feelings, and my personal feelings are better now than one month and a half ago, without a doubt.
“So in some way I don’t want to close, 100 per cent, the door, because of a very simple thing.
“First thing, I am enjoying playing tennis. Second thing, I am travelling with the family. They are enjoying and I am enjoying sharing all this process with them.
“And the third thing, I was not able to explore yet the proper way how I will be able to play in more or less healthy conditions, playing without limitation.
“So give me some time. Maybe in one month and a half I say ‘OK it’s enough, I can’t keep going’, but today in some way I cannot guarantee that that’s going to be the last one. But of course it’s a big chance.”
The 37-year-old is the most decorated player in French Open history with 14 titles to his name. However, he faces a tricky opening match this year against Alexander Zverev in what will be a repeat of their semi-final meeting at the same tournament in 2022. Zverev recently won the Italian Open and is seeded fourth in the draw.
“That’s part of the business when you are not seeded,” he commented on facing Zverev.
“Of course on the paper is not the best draw. I play against one of the toughest opponents possible. He came here winning the last event and it was a Masters 1000, not a small one (event).
“What can I do? That’s the draw. Just try to be ready for it.?
Nadal has never lost in the first round of the Grand Slam with his worst result occurring back in 2016 when he reached the third round before retiring. Overall, he has only been beaten twice at the event by Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling. If he does lose to Zverev, it will be the first time in his career he has suffered back-to-back Tour-level losses on the clay.
Nadal currently leads Zverev 7-3 in their head-to-head. Their upcoming clash is scheduled to take place on Monday.
