Despite his injury fears, the 36-year-old rose to the occasion at Roland Garros, beating top 10 players Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and finalist Ruud consecutively to win a men’s record-extending 22nd Major.

Throughout the tournament retirement rumours continued to persist however Nadal announced following the match that he was “going to keep fighting”.

Yet, speaking exclusively to Spanish outlet Marca, Rafael Nadal said that he “always has been happy outside of tennis” and when the day comes to stop he will be fine with it.

“I imagine it the same as the many times in my career that I have had to be out of competition for months due to injuries,” Nadal said.

“I have always been happy outside of tennis, it is not something that makes me lose sleep or have any fear.

“I have said it many times: I am not afraid of my life after tennis. I have and have always had many things that make me happy beyond tennis.”

The ATP veteran continued as he discussed his chronic foot injury and if there was pain following the Slam final.

“The truth is that physically I am very well. I have been very well for two weeks. When I have played long matches, at the level of soreness, surprisingly due to the lack of training prior to this tournament, the following mornings I have woken up well. At this point in my career and at my age, I haven’t had much soreness.”