Around eight months after Roger Federer’s last professional match, rival Rafael Nadal is now also announcing his retirement. The 22-time Grand Slam champion announced at a press conference in his tennis academy in Mallorca that he would end his career next year.
He says: “My head didn’t want it, but my body said stop. It’s time for closure.” The sand king will also be absent from the French Open 2023, which starts in ten days – for the first time since 2004. On Thursday, the record champion and defending champion canceled his participation due to injury.
The Spaniard has been injured in the hip since the Australian Open in January. For years, physical problems have repeatedly put the 36-year-old out of action. Foot, knee, back, elbow, shoulder – Nadal has had injuries everywhere.
Nevertheless, “the bull of Manacor” wants to return again. He thinks: “The end cannot be a press conference. I will fight to make sure it doesn’t end like this.”
For the first time he gives his body a break. Then he wants to prepare for the new year. In 2024, the 36-year-old wants to say goodbye to all the tournaments that are important to him in a competitive manner.
Then a “very happy” chapter will come to an end. Nadal explains: “We were able to enjoy moments that we could never have imagined.” But he also says clearly: “Then another phase of life begins, but it doesn’t have to be less happy.”
In addition to tennis, he has many other beautiful things that would help him enjoy life. Last but not least, Rafa and wife Xisca became parents last fall. Accordingly, Nadal believes: “I will enjoy the freedom of no longer having a fixed schedule.”
2023-05-19 15:29:00
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