Rafael Nadal insisted he is “not in a hurry” to make concrete retirement plans as the tennis legend gears up to compete at the Laver Cup.
The Spaniard confirmed earlier this month that he would forego the US Open after failing to medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Instead, Nadal has given himself ample time to prepare for the hard-court tournament in Berlin, due to start on Friday, September 20.
Speaking at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, where he witnessed Real Madrid and RCD Mallorca play out a 1-1 draw, the 38-year-old did not feel rushed in calling an end to his career.
“I’m not in a hurry to make a decision about my future. What is certain is that I will be in the Laver Cup, and then we will see,” said Nadal via Marca.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner will represent Team Europe at the Laver Cup for the fourth time.
Playing alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Speculation about the all-time great’s retirement from tennis ramped up after his defeat to eventual gold medallist Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles at the Olympics.
Nadal said after losing to Djokovic at the end of July: “I can’t spend all day thinking about that [retirement].
“I come here, and you ask me the same thing every day and in the end it’s very difficult to get back to my best form if I think about whether I’m going to retire or not.
“I have been suffering a lot of injuries the last two years. So, if I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going, or physically I’m not ready to keep going, I will stop, and I will let you know. But I don’t think every day about if I am retiring or not.
“When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and desire.”
And after the dust had settled on his Olympics quarter-final exit in the men’s doubles alongside Alcaraz, Nadal took to social media to confirm his withdrawal from the US Open.
Nadal posted on social media: “Hi all, writing today to let you guys know that I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open a place where I have amazing memories.
“I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don’t think I would be able to give my 100% this time.
“Thanks to all my US fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time. Best of luck to all for the always amazing US Open! My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin.”
And with time off to recuperate before the Laver Cup, Nadal found himself back on his native Balearic island of Mallorca to see his beloved Real Madrid slip to a draw in their first La Liga match of the season.
Nadal noted that he was not the only one to feel the effects of a long summer of sport.
“I was able to see my two teams in an exciting match and where the draw was fair,” commented Nadal post-match.
“There has been the European Championship, the Olympic Games and the preparation time is very short. The tiredness was also noticeable in the second half due to the humidity.”
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
