Rafael Nadal shuts down retirement talks ahead of 2023 season
ATP
It seems that Rafael Nadal doesn't want to even think about his retirement, as he shut down any talks ahead of the 2023 season.
Nadal is much closer to retiring than he was a decade ago. The 36-year-old is not the youngest anymore, and despite winning the Australian Open and the French Open this year, his physical condition is always a big question mark.
The Spaniard ended the 2022 season by losing four of his last five matches, which certainly wasn't ideal. Still, he doesn't want to even think about retiring. Nadal is one of the oldest players on the ATP Tour, but his level is still high enough to compete against the best of the best.
While speaking during a launch event of his hotel, as per Sportskeeda, Nadal said that he is still a professional tennis player, and that he doesn't plan to change that anytime soon. He wants to continue competing for as long as his body will allow him to.
"I'm still a pro athlete and I wish it lasts. I put effort so that it lasts as much as possible. Retirement starts the day you start, as there's one day less to reach it."
Since he knows he wants to avoid retiring for as long as possible, Nadal puts all his energy into extending his tennis career instead of thinking about his retirement, which he knows will ultimately come.
"But I'm not at that point, I work every day with the right energy to not be at that point yet. It will come, though."
After winning two Grand Slam titles in 2022, Nadal will want to follow up on that success in 2023. Although he didn't end the season in the best way possible, he will always be one of the favorites when the players once again hit the clay courts.
