Alex Corretja, a Spanish tennis legend, believes Rafael Nadal will find it “almost impossible” to participate at the 2024 US Open after competing in the Paris Olympics.
The two-time French Open runner-up believes Nadal would need to play in Cincinnati before the US Open, arguing that the sudden change in surface would be problematic.
Nadal competed in both singles and doubles at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, his third appearance since Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016.
In the second round of the singles event, the Spanish icon was defeated 6-1, 6-4 by his great rival and eventual gold medalist, Novak Djokovic.
After two victories, Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz were defeated 6-2, 6-4 by Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the quarter-finals of doubles.
Nadal is on the entry list for the US Open, which runs from August 26 to September 8, although he has expressed skepticism about his attendance at Flushing Meadows following his Olympic departure.
“It appears not, but I’ll let you know soon,” stated the 38-year-old. “I can’t give you a clear response right now; I need time. But, to me, it seemed impossible.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion stated that he needs time to consider what his “next step” will be after the Olympics, since his future in the sport remains uncertain.
Corretja expressed empathy for Nadal’s difficult decision about how long to continue playing the sport he loves in an interview with El Larguero.
“I understand every position. But at the same time, he pondered what would happen if Rafa stayed for three, four, six, or seven months.
“Are we concerned about losing a myth? Will the Rafa legend worsen? That when he’s 39, people will think he should have retired?
“Will they just remember all the positive things Rafa did? Will our perception of him change much in three months or less?
“I understand that Rafa says, ‘hey, I want to play as long as I want’, which we all share, and another thing is that if I say that I am retiring, this is already forever.”
The former world number two also questioned Nadal’s chances of appearing at the US Open, but indicated he may play for Spain in the Davis Cup later this year.
“For the US Open, on a fast court?” You can’t go there without first playing on a hard court in New York. Is he heading to Cincinnati in 10 days to replace the surface again? “I think it’s almost impossible,” Corretja concluded.
“He has to find a position where he can say, ‘This is as far as I want to go, and it is worth the effort,’ such as the Laver Cup.
“What if he helps in some way with the Davis Cup team? Maybe encouraging himself to play doubles and contribute to the team in September would get him into the semi-finals, and if he made it to the final, he’d play November.
“If not, how do you practice in Manacor now, given what I’m planning for? For me, that is the issue.”
