Rafael Nadal’s 2024 was not satisfactory and it is not difficult to improve in the final months of the season. The French Open and the Paris Olympics were his big goals this year and it must be acknowledged that the Spanish legend did not get the results he wanted. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been training hard lately and even though his injury is improving, his level of play is still far from the best players today.
The former world No. 1, who faced some very dangerous opponents from the early rounds, was not even favored for a draw. At the French Open, Rafa had to surrender to the great Alexander Zverev and then lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. At the Paris Olympics – where he was one of the last torchbearers at the opening ceremony – he lost in the second round to his eternal rival Novak Djokovic.
Nadal had hoped to win at least a doubles medal with his young compatriot Alcaraz, but their run ended in the quarter-finals against experts Ram and Krajicek. After the Olympics, Rafa said he will take some time to decide his future. He is currently confirmed to be at the Laver Cup in Berlin later this month.
Rafa requires patience
Despite his valiant attempts, Nadal no longer seems to be in contention to win major titles and his retirement could soon be announced. In the latest edition of the Spanish show ‘El Hormigero’, Rafa gave a surprising revelation: «I don’t arm anyone because I’m right-handed (in life), the right side is much less strong and I don’t have coordination.» On the left side.
He also discussed Jannik Siner’s doping case: «I have a virtue or a defect, which I believe in the good faith of people.» I know a sinner and I don’t think he wants to do dope. I don’t think that we should love justice because it is justice. I trust the bodies that have to make decisions and they do what they believe is right.
I believe that the reason why there is no sanction is because the people who have to judge this case clearly see that what happened is not punishable. I don’t think they’re calling him innocent just because he’s world number 1. Everyone’s opinion is respected, and that’s mine.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion can help Spain in the Davis Cup final in Malaga if his national team qualifies for the event. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova had this to say about Rafa’s future in an interview with Sky Sports Tennis. If you are fighting with your body – you want to play but it won’t let you – then I just give it to you. He has an incredible career. A longer career than we all thought because of the physicality of his style. That leg had been bothering him for years. And, man, if I lived in Mallorca and the lifestyle, the yacht, I think I’d shut it down.
A difficult decision
The former World No. 1 has had a number of physical problems in the past two years and has not been able to play as he would like. The Spanish legend looked set to end his career in 2022 before surprising everyone by winning the first two majors of that season.
Even if he didn’t achieve his goal, Nadal wants to decide his future well: «A few years ago I was in a different phase. The decision was easy because I was dealing with a lot of physical issues. I focused on the Olympics. And then I knew I had to evaluate and make a decision. I didn’t achieve what I love; Because I wasn’t as healthy as I wanted to be after the first race, I think I was at a good level at the Olympics, but I didn’t like being constantly asked about my retirement because if I’m sure, I’ll let you know what my decision is.
The Spanish champion confirmed that he continues to train every day and that no final decision has been made. We’ll see if Nadal can finish the job the way he wants.
