Top
Rafael Nadal looking on
Rafa Nadal, Tennis News

‘I may want to retire this time next year,’ admits Rafael Nadal


Rafael Nadal admits he could be ready to retire this time next year, but he does not believe it to be likely at this stage.

Nadal achieved history at Roland Garros earlier this month where he won his 20th major title to draw level with Roger Federer as the most successful male tennis player in history.

However, at the age of 34, he is aware that there are more days behind than there are those ahead, and he sees no point in hiding from it.

“I can’t guess when I’ll retire,” Nadal told El Periodico. “Who knows if that will be the same in a year’s time.

“You cannot predict the future. I don’t know what life will bring, maybe things will happen that will make me disillusioned about what I’m doing.

“Hopefully that is not the case! Of course, to this day, I see it unlikely, but one must always be prepared because things change very quickly.

“Of course, I am not afraid of that day and, therefore, I do not consider it.

“It is clear to me that when I arrived, I will feel it, I will know it, I will realize, probably that I will no longer feel that passion that moves me to go to training every morning, those continuous improvement objectives that one needs to remain competitive.

“When that happens, it will be time to say I quit and start doing things that are as or more important than tennis, of course.”


By
1

Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.