Uncle Toni Nadal predicts two venues that nephew Rafael may play final match before retirement from tennis
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Updated 25/03/2023 at 19:59 GMT
After five Madrid Open wins, 14 French Opens and 22 Grand Slam victories, 36-year-old Rafael Nadal has started to reduce the volume of tennis he plays, last year announcing he would be unlikely to play competitive tennis in Mexico again. Now his uncle and former trainer, Toni Nadal, has suggested that there are two venues which would be a fitting location for his nephew's eventual retirement.
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Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal has predicted two venues where the 36-year-old could play the last match of his career.
The older Nadal also suggested that his nephew may find it difficult to step away from the sport while he is close to his peak.
The veteran 22-time Grand Slam winner has curtailed his involvement in tennis in recent seasons, and at the end of 2022 he suggested that he would no longer compete in Mexico as he looks to preserve his body for the remaining years of his career.
He has been out of action with an injury since losing to American player Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open in January but hopes to be fit for the clay season if the problem with his left hip can be resolved.
Nadal is also now out of the ATP world rankings top 10 for the first time in his career since 2005, and with some speculation Nadal will soon follow his friend Roger Federer into retirement, Toni Nadal told Marca that perhaps the French Open or Madrid Open would be a fitting location to hang up his racquet.
Nadal has won the Madrid Open five times, and will aim for his 15th Roland-Garros title in June, assuming he is fit.
"In Madrid or at Roland Garros,” he said. “The time will come and he will decide. When you lift a trophy you convince yourself that you still have something to give.
“It's hard to retire winning. I think Sampras did it. I haven't talked about that with Rafa. I don't know how much it fits him. If he fully recovers, let him keep playing and we'll see."
A win for Nadal at the French Open would take him ahead of Novak Djokovic on 23 Grand Slam wins.
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