Picture Credit: X
On Monday, 14-time Roland Garros champion and 22-time Grand Slam winner, Rafael Nadal bowed out of the men’s singles tennis competition at the Paris Olympics 2024 with a defeat against top-seeded, Novak Djokovic. Although it seemed a one-sided affair with the Spaniard struggling with a thigh injury, Djokovic cruised past Nadal in straight sets win, 6-1, 6-4.
Nadal, who had been open about his injury struggles in the past two years, which even saw him miss the entire with a massive muscle injury, entered the Paris Olympics on the back of a thigh injury. However, his participation was under clouds, but the 38-year-old cruised past in the first round of both men’s singles as well as men’s doubles. Although, his journey ended in the men’s singles, he continues his title hunt in the men’s doubles, where he has partnered with youngster, Carlos Alcaraz.
If that’s the last match here, I’ll be in peace: Rafael Nadal on his future
But speaking after his loss against the Serbian, Rafael Nadal was left fuming when questioned about his future plans. However, he has been asked this question a lot of times now, he was visibly left annoyed this time around. “You want me to retire every day guys, you ask me for that. I am trying to do my best. I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be or not going to be my last match,” Nadal said.
“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,” he reiterated. “I like what I do and of course I’m going to miss the adrenaline of playing but I cannot complain. I have been playing all these courts for 20 years, fighting for the most important things. I achieved much more than I dreamed of,” he added.
He finally concluded adding that if it was his last dance, he’ll “be in peace”. “If that’s the last match here, I’ll be in peace. I did my best and I can’t complain anymore,” he quoted.
Watch Rafael Nadal speak on his future in tennis
