Rafael Nadal brought the retirement topic back on the table by admitting that he will reassess his situation again to determine whether he will continue playing.
The Spaniard first confirmed last year that he would likely retire after the 2024 season. Since then, we've heard this topic opened a few times, basically every time Nadal plays or withdraws from another event.
He himself doesn't really help with his approach to the matter because he keeps it very vague. It's not that Nadal is doing it on purpose. It's mainly because the Spaniard doesn't know what will happen.
He's a human and guided by emotions. With one good practice, he might think that he can still win events. For example, during his week in Bastad, he proved that he could still win matches, reaching the final of the ATP 250 event.
After the first few wins, Nadal probably thought that he could still compete and win trophies. A few days later, when Nuno Borges bested him in the final, the 38-year-old likely didn't feel as optimistic.
A similar development happened at the Paris Olympics. After outplaying Marton Fucsovics in the opening match Nadal likely fancied his chances. He might have fancied his chances against Novak Djokovic as well, but then the Serbian outplayed him, and reality settled a little bit.
After his last match at the Olympic Games, he spoke with the media and admitted that he might have played his final match at Roland Garros.
"I’m happy with the love and support I receive here every time I step out on court. I don’t know if this was the last time [at Roland Garros]. Possibly, yes."
It's possible that it was the last time he played in the French capital, but ultimately, he doesn't know. The only thing he knows is what he is going to do next, and that's going home and disconnecting from tennis and competing for a while to clear his mind and give himself a chance to understand what he wants to do next.
"One stage has ended for me: my objective was to focus on the Olympic Games and afterwards I’d have to decide, and that’s what I will do. Now I go home and rest and disconnect a bit. When I have [a clear mind], I will take the decision of what the next stage will be for me."
"See how much desire I have, how I feel about things, the inner strength I have to make one decision or another… and I will make it when I have to make it."
It could be a retirement announcement or a confirmation that he will continue playing. As unfortunate as it is, the match against Djokovic was a sobering experience for both Nadal and his many fans.
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