Rafael Nadal’s ‘dream finish’ revealed as Toni Nadal makes retirement admission
Rafael Nadal wants to finish his tennis career on a high by winning the title at Roland Garros, but if he does end up being the last man standing in Paris then he could make a U-turn on his retirement decision.
That is the view of his uncle and former mentor Toni Nadal.
Having announced last year that the 2024 campaign is likely to be his final season as a professional, Nadal is enjoying a farewell tour as he has already said goodbye to his fans at several big tournaments.
The French Open is next up on the calendar, but there are major doubts over the 14-time champion’s participation as he is still not 100% following the thigh injury he sustained in January.
Toni Nadal – who coached Rafael since until 2017 and steered him to 16 Grand Slam titles – says the former world No 1 won’t feature at the clay-court event unless he feels he is capable of winning the title.
“He is not going to drag himself down, he remains confident because of his mentality and the way he is. He will not go to Roland Garros to lose in the second round, [he go] only if he believes he can win the tournament,” the 63-year-old said in an interview.
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If the 37-year-old does end up winning the title in Paris, then it could lead to a change of heart when it comes to retirement.
Toni added: “His dream finish would be to win Roland Garros and retire, but I think that, if he does, he will want to continue. He won’t retire.”
Nadal won his last Grand Slam at the 2022 Australian Open and before the tournament, there were also doubts about his participation as he struggled with Covid.
“He had had Covid-19 three days before travelling, but then he tested negative and still did not know whether to travel,” Toni said. “In the end he decided to go, starting with little preparation, and won the tournament.”
Following his early exit from the Italian Open, Rafael Nadal admitted that he is still uncertain about his participation in the clay-court Grand Slam.
“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I going to say be in Roland Garros and try my best,” he stated.
“Physically I have some issues, but probably not yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.
“Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week. If I feel ready, I going to try to be there and fight for the things that I have been fighting the last 15 years, if now seems impossible.”
