Rafael Nadal appeared on Monday’s episode of the Spanish talk show “El Hormiguero.” When asked about skipping the US Open, Rafa said: “I planned this season until the Olympic Games, I tried to do my best and now it’s a question of analysing how I feel. I thought it was too hard to play the US Open in a best of five sets. I had my decision made, but I preferred to wait to communicate it.”
He also addressed comparisons between himself and Carlos Alcaraz, stating: “I don’t think the comparison hurts Alcaraz. He’s good enough. He will go his own way and it’s a nice coincidence that, after my career, someone like Carlos comes along. It’s difficult in the same country to have two players among the best in history.”
On the subject of his retirement, Rafa remarked: “Let me take my time to make my decision. When I have made up my mind, I will say so. My objectives for the year are over and I haven’t achieved what I would have liked to. I train every day and I enjoy other things in life.”
Rafa also commented on Jannik Sinner’s recent doping case, a hot topic in the tennis world: “I believe in people’s good faith. I know Sinner and I don’t think he wanted to dope. I believe in justice and in the institutions that make decisions. I don’t think that just because he is the No.1 he has not been sanctioned.”
He mentioned his healthy relationship with his rival Roger Federer, shared that staying in the Olympic Village is very important to him—despite the accommodation not being the best—because “you can sacrifice once in four years.”
Our champ also noted that he no longer plays video games, although he used to play FIFA when he was younger, and joked that since becoming a father, he doesn’t win so many tennis matches.
Sources: El Hormiguero, X/@PauFerragut
Jannik can be happy both Roger and Rafa are nice people 😀
Rafa must be tired of answering the same questions. He is entitled to make these decisions on his own schedule. His consistency throughout his career is unmatched;
as we see many players crashing under pressure, we are even more aware of his mental
strength as he faced many challenges. All the best, Rafa🥰🙏
Lovely❤️
Hahaha, Rafa is realistic, pragmatic, and funny. I’m glad Rafa is taking his time to decide on his next steps in tennis and did not decide to call it a career yet. Rafa still has that self-belief that he can achieve great things in tennis in 2025. Hope to see it happen.