The most despised word for tennis players and athletes, in general, is retirement as it basically means the end of years of hard work and persistence.
For tennis players, coming to terms with retirement is not just an overnight decision but a carefully planned one that can even take months or years before finally pulling the plug on their career.
Before they hang up their rackets, most tennis retirements tend to have sufficient hints like injuries, decline in age, and loss of form, among many others. In this article, we shall list the five ATP players who could play in the final year of their professional careers in 2024.
5. Kei Nishikori
Injuries have cruelly scuppered Kei Nishikori's plans to fulfill his potential. Nishikori's turbulence has mostly been physical. But with an injury list long enough to fit a grocery list, the Japanese star is now becoming mentally and emotionally drained.
His comeback from a bone-chilling hip surgery in the middle of last season was short-lived because he picked up a knee injury while playing at an ATP event in Atlanta, and he has not recovered in time to play the 2024 Australian Open. Nishikori aims to return to the tour in March at the earliest, and his long-term future looks increasingly bleak.
4. Gael Monfils
One of the very few of that French old guard that is still standing is now at the twilight of his career. Gael Monfils has already hinted that 2024 will likely be his final year on tour, even though he has stated that his motivation remains unfiltered.
Monfils has been slowed down by injuries in the past 18 months, and the clock is ticking for the 12-time ATP titlist, who turns 38 in September and has previously viewed "responsibility" as a fulfilling routine since becoming a father.
3. Stan Wawrinka
A three-time Grand Slam champion and a resume filled with stonking wins over the Big Three on the main stage is a career worthy of Hall of Fame status for Stan Wawrinka. What is even more satisfying for the Swiss one-hander is that his peak conceded with declining age.
He won his first major at the age of 29 at the 2014 Australian Open and has been ranked a career-high World No. 3. At the age of 38 and having battled back from multiple knee surgeries, Wawrinka's resilience is admirable. He wants to win one more ATP title before he hangs up his racket, but even if he doesn't, he'll relish every moment of his breathtaking career.
2. Andy Murray
Like Wawrinka, Andy Murray's place among the list of tennis stalwarts is already guaranteed. A former World No. 1 and a winner of three Grand Slams, Murray has carried the British flag on the ATP Tour with distinction for over a decade.
The 36-year-old has not formally retired despite the Australian Open releasing a montage to serve as a farewell during an emotional exit against Roberto Bautista Agut at the 2019 tournament.
Murray underwent a hip resurfacing surgery after the aforementioned match to prolong his playing career. Still, he is not willing to sacrifice another mediocre year at the expense of his physical well-being.
1. Rafael Nadal
Top of the list is Rafael Nadal, one of the most charismatic players on tour. A 22-time Grand Slam champion and an all-time great, Nadal has made it no secret that 2024 could be his final year. He went to the extent of confessing that there is a "high percentage" it will be the last year he plays on the main tour.
Having recovered from a career-threatening hip injury, Nadal returned to action at the Brisbane International, which marked his comeback tournament, and he won his first singles match in 12 months.
Winning Roland Garros for an unprecedented 15th time would be the perfect swansong. According to his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, the 37-year-old "dreams" of leaving the stage while still playing at a high level. It would be fascinating to see if there is another fairytale chapter to his illustrious career in 2024.
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