'Nadal Wants To Go Out On His Own Terms': McEnroe Compares Nadal To LeBron James

| by Kadir Macar

Rafael Nadal will soon leave the professional ATP circuit but it will be on his own terms, as John McEnroe discussed.

Only recently, the Spaniard announced that he won't be competing at this year's Roland Garros. He then also stated that the 2024 season will be most likely his last, and so talks about the retirement already started.

However, also during the press conference, Nadal said that he worked too hard in his life to retire in a press conference. That's something that resonated also with American tennis legend John McEnroe as he discussed the Spaniard's retirement.

"Whatever Rafa wants to do is something that we should respect and any player … you watch [Andy] Murray play, he's not the same player that he was and not nearly as highly ranked, but he wants to go out on his own terms and I'm sure it'll be the same with Rafa."

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"I would never say that he couldn't win at Roland Garros. Anyone that's done what he's done, as long as he stepped foot on a court, would have a great chance."

The American even compared the 22-time Grand Slam champion to basketball player and NBA legend LeBron James. The 38-year-old is still playing and breaking records despite being already on the older side of the roster.

"He reminds me a lot of LeBron James. LeBron James is a little bit older and is part of a team, but I think he proved he was still a fantastic player."

Continuing in finding similarities, McEnroe explained that Nadal may eventually lack stamina or power to keep up with the youngsters, as that's something that happen to James late in the season.

"But you know, maybe, at the end of those [season-end] games, he got a little tired because too much was expected from him. And at some point, that's what's gonna happen to Rafa. It happens to everybody, you're going to be asking too much."

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