Rafael Nadal, the 22-time major champion, acknowledged the possibility that 2024 would be his last season as an ATP professional, acknowledging that he might hang up his racquets at the conclusion of the 2024–2025 season. Since indicating that the 2024 season might serve as the location of his comeback, Rafael Nadal has erred on the side of caution. The Spaniard is now counting down the days until he returns to professional tournament tennis at the ATP 250 in Brisbane, which starts on December 29, after missing a full year of action due to an iliopsoas injury in his left leg.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion talked about the possibility of retiring in a recent social media video, saying that if his body does not cooperate, he might even retire halfway through the season.
Spanish has just sent a message of optimism during a season full of extra motivation, like the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where tennis will be played on Roland Garros clay. What his decision-making boundaries are, and when his career ends—as it has already in the annals of modern sports history—will only become clear with time. It’s a fact that there’s a good chance this year will be my last, no question about it. It might only be for six months, depending on circumstances.
It’s possible that it will last the entire year. It’s possible that we won’t be able to accomplish everything. I am not in a position to respond to these questions at this time. All I can say is that I will be back to compete. There’s a good chance this is my last year, so I plan to make the most of the competitions,” Nadal remarked, as cited by ATP. He added, however, that he had no way of knowing what the future held for his career and that all of these were just possibilities. Nadal is happy to relive the excitement of competing at the highest level for the time being.
The 37-year-old further stated that he didn’t want to issue an official statement because doing so would bind him to his own words. Rather, he planned to take things day by day, and if his body allowed it, he might even play again after the next season. “I don’t want to announce because, in the end, I don’t know what might occur. I have to give myself the chance to say nothing at all so that I won’t be a slave to my words. Though I can’t be 100% certain, I believe that is how things will work out because I have put a lot of effort into getting back into competition. If things don’t work out as planned, and I enjoy what I do, why am I going to set a deadline? “, he clarified.
