Rafael Nadal says he will decide on future ‘after Olympics’ | Paris Olympics 2024 News
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NEW DELHI: In the wake of a devastating loss to his long-time rival Novak Djokovic at the Paris Games on Monday, Rafael Nadal announced that he will determine his tennis career’s trajectory “after the Olympics.”
“When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and desire,” said Nadal, as quoted by AFP, after losing 6-1, 6-4 in his 60th career meeting with Djokovic.
Nadal, playing in just his seventh tournament of the year after another campaign disrupted by injuries, admitted that at 38 he did not “have the legs of 20 years ago”.
Nadal has acknowledged that at the age of 38, his physical abilities have diminished compared to his prime years. “I don’t have the legs of 20 years ago,” he admitted, as he competes in only his seventh tournament this year due to recurring injury setbacks.
Despite the challenges, Nadal’s illustrious career boasts an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles, with his most recent triumph coming at the 2022 French Open, where he secured his 14th victory at Roland Garros. The Spaniard has also achieved Olympic success, clinching gold medals in singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and in doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
However, Nadal’s current world ranking has plummeted to 161, a stark contrast to his former reign at the top of the rankings.
In a shocking turn of events, he experienced his first-ever opening-round defeat at the French Open in May. Subsequently, he made the decision to bypass Wimbledon, opting to concentrate his efforts on the upcoming Olympic Games.
“For many people it makes little sense, I have been suffering for two years,” added Nadal who described Monday’s loss as “tough”.
“If I feel that I am not competitive I will make the decision to stop. I just try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time.
“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 let you know.”
Despite his loss, Nadal remains hopeful for a gold medal in men’s doubles, where he is teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz.
On Monday, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, secured his 31st victory in their ongoing rivalry that started on the Roland Garros clay courts back in 2006.
Nadal was mostly outplayed in their highly anticipated match, showing a brief surge of form only when he won four consecutive games in the second set.
“I’m very relieved,” said Djokovic after the second round win.
“Back in 2006, I don’t think we would have thought we would be playing against each other on the same court at the Olympics.”
Nadal admitted that Djokovic was the superior player throughout the match.
“Playing against Novak, without creating damage to him and without having the legs of, 20 years ago is, is almost impossible now.”
Showing the toll of recent months, Djokovic sported protective strapping around his right knee, while Nadal’s right thigh was heavily taped.
Djokovic surged to a 4-0 lead with a double break and held for 5-0 before Nadal finally halted the onslaught, much to the relief of the sweltering, packed crowd.
Djokovic took the first set decisively when Nadal sent a forehand wide.
Nadal’s statistics were disheartening, managing just four points off Djokovic’s serve in the first set.
The second set offered no reprieve as Djokovic quickly built a 4-0 lead with another double break. However, Djokovic gave Nadal a chance with a surprising double fault, which allowed Nadal to break back for the first time.
Nadal clawed his way back from 0-4 to 4-4 as Djokovic momentarily lost his rhythm. Djokovic regrouped impressively, using a drop-shot to break Nadal for 5-4 on a fourth break point, and sealed his victory with an ace.
“When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and desire,” said Nadal, as quoted by AFP, after losing 6-1, 6-4 in his 60th career meeting with Djokovic.
Nadal, playing in just his seventh tournament of the year after another campaign disrupted by injuries, admitted that at 38 he did not “have the legs of 20 years ago”.
Nadal has acknowledged that at the age of 38, his physical abilities have diminished compared to his prime years. “I don’t have the legs of 20 years ago,” he admitted, as he competes in only his seventh tournament this year due to recurring injury setbacks.
Despite the challenges, Nadal’s illustrious career boasts an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles, with his most recent triumph coming at the 2022 French Open, where he secured his 14th victory at Roland Garros. The Spaniard has also achieved Olympic success, clinching gold medals in singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and in doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
However, Nadal’s current world ranking has plummeted to 161, a stark contrast to his former reign at the top of the rankings.
In a shocking turn of events, he experienced his first-ever opening-round defeat at the French Open in May. Subsequently, he made the decision to bypass Wimbledon, opting to concentrate his efforts on the upcoming Olympic Games.
“For many people it makes little sense, I have been suffering for two years,” added Nadal who described Monday’s loss as “tough”.
“If I feel that I am not competitive I will make the decision to stop. I just try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time.
“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 let you know.”
Despite his loss, Nadal remains hopeful for a gold medal in men’s doubles, where he is teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz.
On Monday, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, secured his 31st victory in their ongoing rivalry that started on the Roland Garros clay courts back in 2006.
Nadal was mostly outplayed in their highly anticipated match, showing a brief surge of form only when he won four consecutive games in the second set.
“I’m very relieved,” said Djokovic after the second round win.
“Back in 2006, I don’t think we would have thought we would be playing against each other on the same court at the Olympics.”
Nadal admitted that Djokovic was the superior player throughout the match.
“Playing against Novak, without creating damage to him and without having the legs of, 20 years ago is, is almost impossible now.”
Showing the toll of recent months, Djokovic sported protective strapping around his right knee, while Nadal’s right thigh was heavily taped.
Djokovic surged to a 4-0 lead with a double break and held for 5-0 before Nadal finally halted the onslaught, much to the relief of the sweltering, packed crowd.
Djokovic took the first set decisively when Nadal sent a forehand wide.
Nadal’s statistics were disheartening, managing just four points off Djokovic’s serve in the first set.
The second set offered no reprieve as Djokovic quickly built a 4-0 lead with another double break. However, Djokovic gave Nadal a chance with a surprising double fault, which allowed Nadal to break back for the first time.
Nadal clawed his way back from 0-4 to 4-4 as Djokovic momentarily lost his rhythm. Djokovic regrouped impressively, using a drop-shot to break Nadal for 5-4 on a fourth break point, and sealed his victory with an ace.
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