One of the greatest tennis careers is coming to an end. Rafael Nadal returns to the tennis court once again. But is he really playing? Questions and uncertainties remain.
Rafael Nadal’s last appearance in Málaga, which was plagued by storms, pushed even the great concerns about the consequences of the climate catastrophe into the background for a few days. There is a huge poster on the facade of the Palacio de deportes José María Martín Carpena. “GRACIAS, RAFA” (Thank you Rafa) is written on it in large letters.
Rafael Nadal: “If I could, I would keep playing”
Because after 22 years on the tour, the Spanish tennis titan is ending this week. Plagued by many injuries, Nadal ended his impressive career at the Davis Cup Finals. “It just doesn’t work anymore,” the 38-year-old said in a video message in October. “If I could, I would keep playing,” Nadal said on Monday in Málaga. But it just doesn’t work anymore.
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Paris would actually have been the logical place where this very special tennis career would end. On no other court has Nadal celebrated such great successes and dominated the competition as much as on the Court Philippe Chatrier at the Stade Roland Garros. The Spaniard won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles at the French Open. Also his last in 2022.
Nadal knows: There is no Hollywood ending for him
Even back then, many assumed that Nadal would use his victory speech to announce the end of his career. But the Mallorcan’s love for tennis was simply too great to stop. So Nadal tried again and again to fight his way back for two more years. But his strenuous play over the years has simply taken too much toll.
There is no such thing as a perfect farewell, said Nadal, who has won 1,080 matches in his career. “The film endings are for American films. “I realized a long time ago that I wouldn’t have one like that,” admitted the long-time world number one. A triumph in the Davis Cup with Nadal on the court would be something very special. “That would be a nice farewell for me and a joy for all of us.”
Nadal played his last match at the Olympic Games
Nadal played his last official match at the Paris Olympics in the second round against his long-time rival Novak Djokovic. At the end of July he was no longer an equal opponent.
Now he is returning to the tennis court for the last time in his Spanish homeland. In what condition is the big question. “I was able to prepare quite well,” reported Nadal about the recent training days in his own academy on Mallorca. “I’m here to enjoy this week and then we’ll see what happens,” said Nadal upon his arrival in Malaga.
Nadal makes it clear: “I am not here to retire”
The focus should be on the sport, not on the end of his career. “It won’t distract me. I’m not here to resign, but to help the team.” Team boss David Ferrer doesn’t want to announce whether he can and is allowed to do that until shortly before the game against the Netherlands.
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Of course, everyone hopes that Nadal will play again in a singles later this week. Tickets for the hosts’ game against the Netherlands on Tuesday (5 p.m.) were sold out within a few hours. “We could have filled the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu,” said tournament director Feliciano Lopez, referring to Real Madrid’s soccer stadium, which has a capacity of around 80,000 spectators.
Huge ticket run for the game against Netherlands
But only around 11,300 spectators will be there in Malaga, including stars from sports, shows and politics. “Of course we are planning a very special farewell for this very special athlete and person,” said Lopez. The difficulty is that nobody knows exactly when Nadal’s last appearance will be.
Already on Tuesday against the Netherlands? Or only in the semi-finals, possibly against Germany? Or even in the final on Sunday? And will Nadal even play again? Or is his time as a substitute coming to an end? “If it doesn’t make sense, then I’ll be the first to say it,” promised Nadal, who is in close contact with Spain’s team boss David Ferrer.
Federer and Djokovic pay tribute to Rafael Nadal
Until a decision is made, Nadal’s every appearance will be closely scrutinized. Every movement is carefully analyzed in Spain. Nadal mania knows almost no limits. The Spanish tennis legend is trying to enjoy the final days of his career as much as possible despite the hype. “I am excited to bring a long and wonderful part of my life to an end,” said Nadal. “You have to accept that everything has a beginning and an end.”
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After Roger Federer, Nadal is the second of the big three to retire. “I always hoped that this day would never come,” said the Swiss. “Thank you for pushing me to my limits so often in our rivalry, which shaped me the most as a player,” said the Serbian Novak Djokovic, who, unlike Nadal, will still play next year despite his 37 years. (aw/dpa)
