Tennis fans around the world are coming to a deep realization that Rafael Nadal’s current run at Roland-Garros could be his last.
After defeating Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, the 21-time Grand Slam winner has denied that he will ever be seen again on Paris soil.
Nadal’s crucial win over his arch-rivals sparked speculation about the future of his game, with the emotional Spaniard holding back tears during his on-court interview. He kept his cards close to his chest as he returned to the tournament, giving him the most successful gift of his career.
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“See you in two days (for the semifinals), that’s all I can say,” he replied when asked if his appearance at Roland-Garros would end this year.
Most tennis fans salute Nadal’s retirement. He has been on leave for the past three years due to a series of injuries.
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Fans were overwhelmed by his win at Melbourne Park this year, and another Grand Slam win in France could be the trigger to turn him into the final version of this year’s tournament after a successful return from a foot injury in 2021.
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After breaking the triple tie with Roger Federer and Djokovic in 20 Grand Slams after winning the Australian Open in January, when Djokovic was unable to play because he had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, one could argue that he still has at least two years to play. The body can hold.
However, the 13-time winner gave a blunt assessment when asked about his problematic injury at his post-match press conference.
“I’m old enough to hide something or come here and say something I don’t believe in,” Nadal said.
“I have what I have on my feet, so if we don’t find an improvement or a small solution, it’s becoming very difficult for me.
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“Of course I’m fighting to find a solution but at the moment we haven’t found it.”
Nadal, 36, will face Roland-Garos third-seeded Alexander Zaverev in the semifinals on Friday. In the wake of his confrontation with Djokovic, Nadal echoed similar sentiments about his health and how his ailing body made it harder for him to make the best of it.
“I know my situation, and I accept it. I can’t complain too much. I’m in the Roland-Garros quarter-finals,” he said.
“I’m enjoying being here for another year. Two and a half weeks ago, I didn’t know if I would be able to stay here. So I’m enjoying being here for another year. And to be honest, every match I’ve played here, I don’t know if this is going to be my last match at Roland-Garros in my tennis career.
“Now my condition. Of course I went through a difficult process with my feet again, so I don’t know what could happen to my career in the near future.”
Tennis pundits and former players believe it could be Nadal’s final trip to Paris, with Chris Evert expressing doubts about his future on the court, telling Eurosport that the tennis champion, especially his uncle Tony’s new student Felix Agar, is “tired” after the victory.
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“I have a lot of respect for him because he’s 35 and he can get emotional every day for these matches,” Evert said.
“I started to burn in my early 30’s. When I woke up in the morning I had nothing in me, so I don’t know where he got this emotion from and how his stomach was on fire.
“I’m sure of the injury, I’m not saying he’s breaking down, but you’re a little bit affected by the game and the training.
Be it next year, be it two years, be it three years.
Asked about his relationship with the French people after so many years of success in the country’s capital over the extended period, Nadal added more fuel to the fire.
“Okay, the crowd was amazing from the start of the tournament. I don’t know. I think maybe they know I won’t be here much longer.”
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