Rafael Nadal said he wasn’t sure if he had played his last match at the French Open, but that competing in the Olympic Games in Roland Garros this summer offers “motivation” to continue his career after losing to Alexander Zverev.
The 14-time French Open winner, who turns 38 next week, claimed there is a “good chance” his loss to fourth seed Alexander Zverev was his final match at the tournament he has controlled for nearly two decades.
Nadal was given a difficult first-round battle with Zverev, one of the contenders for the trophy after winning in Rome last week, and the 27-year-old became only the third player, after Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling, to beat Nadal in his 116 matches at the French Open.
In an emotional on-court interview following the defeat, Nadal claimed his performance gave him hope, but he found it “difficult” to discuss his future.
Nadal spoke in front of a crowded Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he has won 14 French Open titles, and was joined by wife Xisca, young son Rafael Jr., and fellow tennis stars Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Here’s Nadal’s post-match speech in full
“It’s difficult for me to speak, and I’m not sure if this is the final time I’ll be in front of you all. Honestly, I’m not sure.
“If this is the final time, you, the audience, have been fantastic. Today, I find it difficult to put my sentiments into words. It’s quite special for me to experience love in the place I care about the most.
“I’d want to congratulate Sasha on this outstanding performance, as well as his victory in Rome the previous week. I wish you all the best in the event. 2022 [when Zverev fractured his ankle in his semi-final defeat to Nadal at the French Open] was a difficult time for you, and you deserve better, so best wishes.
“As I have stated, I have had a difficult two years due to injuries. I went through all of these processes with the goal of returning to Roland Garros. It is true that the first round was not perfect. I needed something else! I was competitive, and I had opportunities, but it was difficult playing against a great player like Sasha.
"I hope to see you again"
Rafael Nadal gives a heartfelt speech after his loss to Alexander Zverev 🥹🎾#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/SPvDiyocAC
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 27, 2024
“It’s difficult for me to say about the future. There is a big percentage I won’t be back at Roland Garros but I can’t say 100 per cent. I am enjoying myself, I am travelling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago.
“Maybe, in two months, I say it’s enough, I can’t give anything else. But that is something I don’t feel yet. I have goals. I hope to be back here for the Olympics, that motivates me. That’s going to be another chance and I really hope to be well prepared.
“The amount of feelings I had on this amazing court throughout my career, it’s just unbelievable. When I was a kid I couldn’t imagine being here at almost 38 with all of the success. Winning so many times, I couldn’t dream about it.
“It has been a very beautiful process. All the memories are very special. All the people who are in Roland Garros behind the scenes helping me since I came here, and the support of my people. I can’t thank them all enough.
“Last thing, all the people, the feelings you made me feel here are unforgettable, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I really hope to see you again, but I don’t know. Merci beaucoup.”
Rafael Nadal set to miss Wimbledon: ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea’
Rafael Nadal is certain to skip Wimbledon next month and may never play at the All England Club again as retirement approaches, writes Kieran Jackson. The 37-year-old owns 22 Grand Slam titles, including two at Wimbledon.
Nadal intends on competing at Roland Garros again as he prepares for the Paris Olympics in two months, casting doubt on his attendance at Wimbledon.
When asked if he believes he will play on grass and at Wimbledon, he said: “[It] looks difficult, honestly.
“For me now, it looks difficult to make the transition to grass when we have the Olympics again on clay.
“I cannot confirm anything, I need to analyse so many facts. I don’t think it’s going to be smart after all the things that happen to my body, to make a transition to a completely different surface, then come back to clay.
“Today I don’t think that’s a good idea, I don’t think it’s a positive idea right now.”