Rafael Nadal’s career is at a crossroads

Rafael Nadal’s career is at a crossroads. The Spanish champion had said that the Paris Olympics would be a crucial hub of his season and the results obtained were not those desired.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill

The former world number 1 has been training a lot in recent months and his physical condition has improved, but his level of play is still far from that of top players. Rafa did not shine particularly well in Madrid and Rome, while at the French Open he was defeated by Alexander Zverev on his debut.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion decided to skip the Wimbledon Championships to train on red clay and avoid new injuries. The Spaniard reached the final in Bastad, but was beaten by Nuno Borges after taking a huge risk against second-tier opponents during the week.

Nadal defeated Hungarian veteran Marton Fucsovics in the first round of the Paris Olympics, before giving up his rival Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4. Rafa also played the doubles tournament in Paris with his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, but the two Spaniards were beaten in the quarterfinals by the specialists Ram and Krajicek. After the Paris Olympics, Rafa Nadal returned home and took a few days off before deciding his future. The Spanish will hardly participate in the US Open, which will take place in New York at the end of August.

What’s next for Rafa?

In a recent interview with ‘El Larguero’, former ATP star and top analyst Alex Corretja opened up on Rafa’s future: “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. 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.”

Rafael NadalRafael Nadal© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport

The former world number 1 would have liked to use this 2024 to say goodbye to the most important tournaments of his career, but injuries have affected his schedule again this year.”

During the latest edition of his podcast, American legend Andy Roddick reflected on Nadal’s current status: “I find it hard to believe that he’s going to ramp up and try and make another run at the French Open, but I’ve been wrong about him before and any analyst who has an opinion, we’re just guessing. We don’t know, we aren’t part of his inner circle. I certainly don’t tick like the greatest players of all time. Can’t understand it, but I don’t know if he wants to be competing for titles at Bastad. I don’t know if that’s his lane. We will see. We’re all better when he’s around. Hopefully we see him in big finals again. I don’t know. It feels like this could be the end. Laver Cup could be a celebration.”

Nadal is reflecting

Rafa may choose the 2024 Laver Cup as his last event of his career, imitating what Roger Federer did two years ago. The 2024 edition of the Laver Cup will take place in Berlin at the end of September and Carlitos Alcaraz will also be there.Rafael NadalRafael Nadal© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport

The Spanish legend is aware of its current level: “I have total freedom, and I think I have tried hard throughout my life, to make the decision how and when I feel it. In that sense, I am a fairly calm person and I need my time. When I know what my next step is, I will let you know, but right now my next step is to go back home, spend time with my family and relax. These have been exciting months, because I have started playing tennis again; they have also been hard, because I have gone through many difficult moments, disappointments, and also beautiful moments… now I have to manage everything, analyse it well and see how I feel.

I won enough in my career, I won much more than what I ever dreamed, so for me it’s about enjoying different experiences and for me, that’s another lifetime experience too, to share with Carlos – an amazing player that I think is going to be, of course, one of the best in history too.” Rafa’s future will be revealed soon.