RAFAEL Nadal said he will make a decision on his tennis future after the 2024 Paris Olympics following a crushing straight-sets defeat to old rival Novak Djokovic in the second round on Monday (29/7).
“When this tournament is over, I will take the necessary decisions based on my feelings and my desires,” Nadal said, after losing 6-1, 6-4 in his 60th career meeting against Djokovic, as quoted on Tuesday (30/7).
Nadal, who is playing just his seventh tournament this year after attempts to play more were hampered by injuries, admitted that, at 38, he does not ‘have the form of 20 years ago.’
The Spaniard, an Olympic gold medallist in singles in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later, won the last of his 22 Grand Slam titles when he captured his 14th French Open title in Paris in 2022.
His once proud rank of number one has now declined to rank 161 in the world.
Last May, she suffered her first defeat in the opening round of the French Open and then skipped Wimbledon to focus on the Olympics.
Read also: Novak Djokovic Knocks Out Rafael Nadal in Second Round of 2024 Paris Olympics
“For many people it doesn’t make sense, I’ve been suffering for two years,” said Nadal, who described the defeat to Djokovic as “tough.”
“If I don’t feel competitive, I’ll make the decision to stop. I just try my best every day, try to enjoy what I’ve enjoyed for so long.”
“I’ve had a lot of injuries in the last two years. So if I feel like I’m not competitive enough to keep going or I’m not physically ready to keep going, I’ll stop and let you know,” he continued.
Despite the defeat, Nadal still has hopes of winning the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal in the men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. (Ant/Z-1)
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