Spanish tennis legend Rafel Nadal was left visibly irked with the buzz and questions about the chances of retirement after his big-margin loss to long-rival Novak Djokovic on July 29 at the Paris Olympics 2024. Nadal failed to advance to the third round of the tennis men’s singles after losing 1-6, 4-6 to Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal has had a rough 2024, losing twice on his favorite clay court, which once earned him the title of “King of Clay”. It was only a month ago when the Spaniard suffered a first round defeat to Alexander Zverev in the French Open. Now, the Djokovic thrashing has only made the buzz around his career louder. However, the 38-year-old is not ready to think about calling time on his professional career and highlighted his focus on gaining competitive form back.
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Speaking to the press after his loss to Djokovic, Nadal was left fuming with the repetitive questions on whether or not he had played his final game.
“Every day, huh? Every day you want me to retire every day guys. You ask me for that every single day…I am trying to do my best every single day. I answer, but I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be or not going to be my last match,” Nadal said.
“I come here, I try my best, I play and when I decide to stop playing or when I decide to keep going, I will let you know. I don’t know, I just try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time,” Nadal added.
Djokovic overcame Nadal in just an hour and 43 minutes on Centre Court, which has raised many concerns about his fitness levels. Nadal will still be a part of the Paris Olympics in the doubles category where he represents Spain alongside the in-form Carlos Alcaraz.
Source Agencies
