Rafael Nadal has suggested that the 2024 season might mark the conclusion of his professional tennis career. There’s a strong possibility that he might choose not to participate in a full season and opt for a farewell at his cherished venue, Roland Garros, as mentioned by a tennis journalist.
Tennis great Nadal has endured a nightmare 2023 campaign as he played only four matches before he sustained a season-ending hip injury at the Australian Open that required surgery in June.
During a press conference to confirm that he would miss this year’s French Open, Nadal also indicated that next year will in all likelihood be his final year on the ATP Tour.
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley has already stated that Nadal is set to play at next year’s season-opening Grand Slam in January, although Nadal’s team have insisted they will take a cautious approach.
The 37-year-old’s schedule for the remainder of the season remains up in the air, but one thing is certain, a fully fit Nadal will play on clay.
Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim has suggested he could play a few of his favourite events on the surface, including the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open, before packing it in at the French Open.
“He can come back but if he can’t come back at peak, who’s going to be favourite to win Roland Garros… he has always obviously loved the European clay. I could see him playing a highly abbreviated schedule… Barcelona, Madrid, maybe throw in Monte Carlo, and calling it a career at Roland Garros 2024,” Wertheim said on Match Point Canada.
“Even if he is not really a contender to win titles, my sense is he’s going to give this thing one more shot. If that means being a 70% Rafa [who] can still go and get a send-off and have a final sort of savour, and give fans one last memory… I think he’s ready to do that.”
Nadal at Roland Garros
The Spaniard has won a record-breaking 14 titles in Paris with the first coming on his debut in 2005 when he defeated Mariano Puerto at the age of just 19 while he won his last trophy in 2022 when he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final.
Nadal has lost only four matches at Roland Garros with those coming in 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2021, with his overall record 112–3 (97.4% match-winning percentage) – easily the best for most match wins at a single major.
