Rafael Nadal sent ‘almost impossible’ US Open message as former No 2 gives verdict on his future
Spanish tennis great Alex Corretja believes it will be “almost impossible” for Rafael Nadal to play at the 2024 US Open after he competed at the Paris Olympics.
The two-time French Open runner-up feels Nadal would need to play in Cincinnati before the US Open and argued the quick change of surface would be a difficult ask.
Nadal featured in both singles and doubles at the 2024 Olympics in Paris in his third appearance at the Games after Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016.
The Spanish legend lost 6-1, 6-4 to his great rival and eventual gold medallist Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles event.
In doubles, Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz saw their run end with a 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final defeat to Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram after two victories.
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Nadal is on the entry list for the US Open, which will run from August 26 to September 8, but he admitted his participation at Flushing Meadows seemed unlikely after his Olympic farewell.
“It looks like not, but I’m going to let you know soon,” said the 38-year-old. “For me now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me it looks difficult.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion also explained he needs time to decide what his “next step” will be after the Olympics, with his future in tennis uncertain.
Speaking to El Larguero, Corretja empathised with the difficult decision Nadal is facing over how long to keep playing the sport he loves.
“I understand all the positions. But at the same time, he also asked what would change if Rafa stays for three, four, six or seven months (translated from Spanish),” said the Spaniard.
“Are we afraid of losing a myth? That the Rafa legend will get worse? That people, when he is 39, will think it’s a shame he didn’t retire?
“Or will they simply remember all the good things Rafa did? If it’s three months more or less, will our perspective of him change a lot?
“I understand that Rafa says, ‘hey, I want to play as long as I want’, which we all share, and another thing is that if I say that I am retiring, this is already forever.”
The former world No 2 also cast doubt on the prospect of Nadal competing at the US Open, but suggested he may feature for Spain in the Davis Cup later this year.
“For the US Open on a fast court? You can’t get there without having played on a hard court in New York. Is he going to go to Cincinnati in 10 days with the change of surface again? I see it as almost impossible,” Corretja continued.
“He has to find a place where he says, this is as far as I want to go and it is worth making that effort, like up to the Laver Cup.
“What if he helps in one way or another in the Davis Cup team? Maybe motivating himself to play doubles and contribute something to the team that in September would put him in the semis and, maybe, if he goes to the final, he would play in November.
“If not, how do you train in Manacor now thinking about what I am preparing for? For me that is the problem.”
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