Rafael Nadal said 2024 will probably be his final year as a professional player, but he has yet to confirm where he plans to retire, but there are already calls for it not to be in Saudi Arabia.
Nadal's last appearance was at the recent Olympics. The tennis events at the games were held at Roland-Garros, where the Spaniard won 14 French Open titles. That made many of his fans believe that securing a medal was possible.
Unfortunately for Nadal, he drew his great rival Novak Djokovic in the second round of the men's singles. The 38-year-old is nowhere near his past level after his injury problems, and the Serbian easily defeated him in straight sets.
Nadal also competed in the men's doubles alongside Alcaraz. The high-profile pair reached the quarterfinal, losing out to the American pair of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. Alcaraz still learned vital lessons from competing with Nadal.
There has been much speculation about the 22-time Grand Slam champion's future in the sport since the Olympics. Nadal confirmed he would not play at the US Open, and the Laver Cup would be his next event.
Some think the Laver Cup may be the Spaniard's farewell event. Andy Roddick believes the Laver Cup, which is where Roger Federer retired, could be a celebration of Nadal's career.
No one will know for certain until Nadal confirms his intentions. However, journalist Benoit Maylin is adamant that the former world No. 1 should not elect to retire in Saudi Arabia.
Maylin told Sans Filet Nadal's farewell should have been at the French Open or the Olympics. He thinks Nadal retiring in Saudi Arabia, where he is the tennis federation's ambassador for tennis, would tarnish his image due to the country's human rights record.
"Who’s going to be able to afford Nadal’s farewell? It should have been at Roland Garros this year or at the Olympics, the symbolism would have been strong but he didn’t want to. [Will his farewell be] at the Laver Cup, as with Federer, who lined up the zeros to get it in September?"
"In Saudi Arabia, where he became the ambassador of their tennis federation this year and who could organize an exhibition worth millions? As long as it’s nothing like that, it would tarnish the image of a champion renowned for his ethics."
The French journalist has an idea he thinks would be much better. Maylin said Nadal should retire at the Davis Cup Finals being held on Spanish soil in Malaga in November, believing it would be a beautiful ending for the tennis legend.
"So if he has to stop this year, let him do it in Spain, defending his country’s colours in the Davis Cup, with Carlos Alcaraz. That would be beautiful."
Ultimately, where Nadal chooses to end his career is his decision. Admittedly, finishing in Saudi Arabia would feel strange, but the 38-year-old has never indicated he plans on doing this.
Hopefully, Nadal gets the finale to his career he deserves after contributing so much to tennis for so many years.
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