Where will Rafael Nadal play his final match? Uncle Toni Nadal plays Nostradamus

Tennis News
Toni Nadal and Rafael Nadal with French Open trophies

Rafael Nadal will be the first to admit that he is in the twilight of his glorious tennis career and his retirement could come at any day, but it is anyone’s guess when and where he will play his last match.

The 36-year-old is currently in his 22nd season as a professional tennis player and during that period he has achieved all there is to achieve in the sport as he has won 22 majors, won two Career Grand Slams, spent more than 200 weeks at No 1 in the world, won gold at the Olympics and set numerous records.

However, the past few years of his career have been hampered by injury setback after injury setback.

After his great rival Roger Federer retired last year after struggling with a knee injury, many believe Nadal could follow suit, although the Spaniard himself has been ambiguous about his retirement date, but how about his retirement venue?

Toni Nadal, the tennis great’s uncle and coach from 2005 until 2017, was asked about where Nadal would say goodbye.

“In Madrid or at Roland Garros,” he told Marca. “The time will come and he will decide. When you lift a trophy you convince yourself that you still have something to give.

“It’s hard to retire winning. I think [Pete] Sampras did it. I haven’t talked about that with Rafa. I don’t know how much it fits him. If he fully recovers, let him keep playing and we’ll see.”

Nadal has not played since picking the hip injury during his second-round defeat at the Australia Open, but he is hopeful of making his return at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

“I think he’s much better, but it’s unknown. Let’s not fool ourselves, when he goes to compete he needs certain guarantees that he can win,” Toni Nadal said.

“I don’t think he’ll go out and play if he isn’t convinced that it will do well. He is excited.”

After missing the Dubai Tennis Championships and Indian Wells Open, Nadal slumped out of the world top 10 for the first time since April 2005, ending his record of 912 consecutive weeks in the top 10.

Ton Nadal added: “He is aware that to be in the top 10 you have to play constantly. He knew this was going to happen. It’s not a thing that worries him too much either. The important thing is that when he goes out to play he feels convinced that he can win and is on the way to achieve it, knowing that things every year are more difficult”.

READ MORE: Rafael Nadal opens up about ‘big injury breakdown’ as he admits comeback date remains uncertain

Rafael Nadal Toni Nadal

Latest