Rafael Nadal’s 2024 was unsatisfactory, and he will struggle to improve in the remaining months of the season.
The French Open and the Paris Olympics were his main ambitions this year, yet the Spanish legend did not get the results he desired. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been training hard recently, and his physical condition has improved, but his level of play is much behind that of today’s best players.
The former world number one was not even favored by the draws, who had faced extremely dangerous opponents since the early rounds. At the French Open, Rafa had to concede to the great Alexander Zverev, who went on to lose to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. At the Paris Olympics, where he was one of the last torchbearers during the opening ceremony, he was defeated in the second round by his lifelong opponent Novak Djokovic.
Nadal was expecting to win a medal in doubles with his young compatriot Alcaraz, but they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by experienced Ram and Krajicek. After the Olympics, Rafa stated that he will take some time to consider his future. At the present, only his participation in the Laver Cup, which is set for the end of this month in Berlin, is confirmed.
Rafa asks for patience
Despite his valiant efforts, Nadal no longer appears competitive for major trophies, and his retirement could be declared soon. Rafa made an unexpected disclosure on the current episode of the Spanish show ‘El Hormiguero’: “I don’t arm-wrestle anyone because I’m right-handed (in life), have much less strength on the right, and lack coordination on the left.”
He also addressed Jannik Sinner’s doping issue, saying, “I have a virtue or a defect: I believe in people’s good faith. I know Sinner, and I don’t believe he wanted to dope. Justice is justice, and I don’t believe we have to enjoy it only when it is resolved in the way we expect. I believe in the bodies responsible for making choices, and that they do so based on what they think to be correct.
I believe that if he has not been sanctioned, it is because those who have had to judge this case have clearly determined that what occurred was not punishable. I don’t believe they judged him as innocent merely because he is the world’s number one. Everyone’s opinion is valid, and mine is this.”
If Spain qualifies for the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, the 22-time Grand Slam champion could play a role. In a recent interview with Sky Sports Tennis, tennis veteran Martina Navratilova spoke about Rafa’s future: “It depends on how much drive there is. If you’re just fighting your body – you really want to play but it won’t let you – I’d give up. He’s had a fantastic career. He had a much longer career than we all expected due to the roughness of his style. His foot has been ailing him for years. And, dude, if I lived in Mallorca and had his lifestyle and boat, I guess I’d give it up.”
A tough decision
The former world number one has struggled with physical issues for the past two years, preventing him from playing as much as he would like. His career appeared to be coming to an end as early as 2022, however the Spanish legend surprised everyone by winning the first two Majors of the season.
Although he has not accomplished his aims, Nadal wants to make an informed decision about his future: “I am in a different phase than a few years ago. The decision was simple because I had been struggling with a number of physical ailments. I focused on the Olympics, knowing that afterward, I’d have to assess and make decisions. The change in surface and playing five sets made it simple to skip New York. Throughout the year, my goal was to allow myself to appreciate each day. I didn’t reach my goals, primarily because I wasn’t as healthy as I had hoped following my injury in the first round.
I believe I performed well at the Olympics, which were my top priority, but I had extremely awful luck with the draw. I dislike being repeatedly asked about my retirement because, when I am certain, I will inform you of my decision.”
The Spanish champion indicated that he will continue to practice every day and that no final decision has been made. We’ll see if Nadal can complete his career like he should.