Speaking to the Spanish press following his quarter-final exit from the Paris Olympic Games alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal said his greatest dream was to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“The Olympic Games were the end of the cycle we had set for ourselves and it was the goal of the year,” he explained, noting that’s why he worked tirelessly to recover physically and return to his top level.
“Now I will go back home to disconnect and reflect calmly on whether I still have the motivation to continue playing. If I don’t, I will take another path, which will be more than accepted. I have enjoyed these Games immensely and I will take away memories for the rest of my life,” he assured.
Besides his time on the court, Rafa appreciated the organizing committee’s gesture of honoring his career with one of the final torch relays at the opening ceremony.
“They have given me this image for the rest of my life because in this place I have achieved the most important record of my career, and it will probably be one of my hardest records to surpass. I am infinitely grateful to them,” he concluded, referring to the 14 Roland Garros titles he won, which will last forever.
On playing in New York at the last Grand Slam tournament of the season, the US Open, Rafa said: “It seems not. But I will tell you soon. I need some time, but it seems difficult to me.”
Sources: Mundo Deportivo, Marca
Rafa retiring will break my heart into countless pieces
I have really enjoyed watching Rafa play these last few months. Especially since he has been injured for such a long time. It’s a pity that the Olympics did not go as planned for him. I hope that Rafa chooses to play a little longer. I feel that he has another great comeback in him to end his glittering career in style. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he repeated the feats of 2022!! That would be a fitting end to his stellar career. Let’s pray she hope for that. Rafa has surprised us so many times. Vamos Rafa!!
I don’t want you to feel down and frustrated take your time, you did great in both the Olympics and the Swedish tournaments, chill and keep practicing on fast based playing and return next year stronger than ever but pls, don’t quit now you still have time, you live the game and the game loves you, Rafael, you’re the greatest player in Tennis history and that’s not based on numbers to me, but based on how miraculous, unique and one of a kind you are. My tears will never stop once you retire pls you still have time of course if it won’t affect your health, I wish you never stop playing, because you are tennis to me, I only watch you. You changed my life Rafael. I love you from all my heart.
Dear Rafa, you are by far at this point of my life my favorite sports person. You have given joy, excitement, integrity and wholesomeness to your tennis playing.
Off the court you have accomplished what we dream of. You have worked so hard to arrive at the level you have reached.
But, time catches up with us in different ways and even though you are still doing everything in your power to prepare for your matches as of late, you can’t seem to reach the ultimate goal. I for one, live and love ❤️ to see you back in action but do not want you to re injure yourself.
You are the champion pure and simple, you are still young enough to accomplish other goals, enjoy that gorgeous son and rest of your lovely family. Thank you for it all.
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe our dear Rafa, both as a person and as a player. Like many fans on this site, Rafa has been my favourite tennis player for almost twenty years. His smile, integrity, humility, fighting spirit, discipline, dedication, respect for his fellow competitors, combined with his outstanding record are what separates him from the rest, even the best of the rest. (I will never forget his topspin forehand curving down the line. No-one can or has done that better than Rafa over the years. A truly outstanding shot.)
I think Rafa might play the Laver Cup one last time (as Federer did before retiring), perhaps in the doubles with Alcaraz. I don’t think he will play the hard court season. He risks further injury and more pain. He doesn’t need any more of either.
His mind is still willing but his body is telling him to stop. So he must. At least we know he will be surrounded by a very loving and supportive family and the cutest little boy in Rafa Junior. Rafa will adjust well to retirement when that day comes, because he is a very well adjusted person. Oh how we shall miss him though!
I can’t see that he’ll play, It’ll break my heart to see him retire, but being thrashed by Nole at Roland Garros, and struggling to beat a qualifier in the SFs at Bastad … it’s no good. No-one can play professionally for ever. And it’s distressing to see him keep on trying to come back and keep having to pull out injured again, and must be even more distressing for his family. Take some time out, enjoy this precious time whilst Baby Rafa’s young, focus on the academy …
I think this was the last match of his carrer😭
I have a feeling that Rafa won’t play the US Open. I think he is closer than we think to calling it quits and I wouldn’t be surprised if he announced that the Laver Cup in September will be his last tournament. As Rafa himself noted, playing the Olympics this year was a big goal, especially as it was finally on clay. And I think although he has been working hard to get back into competitive shape, I think he has probably been abit frustrated by it too. He has looked sharp at times, but it’s been difficult for him to be consistent. And I think Rafa is enough of a competitor, that he will not want to continue to play if he can’t get close to his old form and really have a shot a winning tournaments. I will be sad when he hangs it up, but my goodness what a run he has had and what a joy it has been to watch him all these years!!!
All good things must come to an end, yet it seems unimaginable that Rafael Nadal will eventually not be seen on a tennis court as a player in the not too distant future.
Rafael has given his fans countless moments of joy over the years, and many will want to refer to him as the GOAT, myself included.
We can only hope that he will give on last hurrah at the US OPEN but only Rafa will know if his body will be up to the rigor one last time.
I pray you chose to play. I noticed you took the strapping off your thigh when you left court after the first set. I take this as a good sign! You played your heart out. I believe your head is more of the problem than your heart. We love you and know you have more to give! God bless you and your family. We fans await your decision. There will never be another player like you!!! Vamos, Rafa!! 🎾♥️
Please Rafa stop now! We oll can no more se you soffer on the court! You coud play sooo a lot of years with soo much wins and beautiful time. Stop now! A saw the soffering face of your family to see you play on court last time. Please be grateful for this years and! Big sportsmen must be say stop when it is time to go! I‘m am a mother and i‘m your fan since 20 years. Please stop to play because we oll soffer to see you so! Your body says it is enough. Do it for yourself and the people who love you! You be and will be our champ forever!