Rafael Nadal’s illustrious tennis career might find its conclusion at the Paris Olympics. The Spanish champion’s last match at Roland Garros ended in a disappointing loss to Alexander Zverev, marking a painful defeat in a tournament that has been central to his career.
Nadal’s reflections post-match were a mix of emotions. Just a few months prior, it seemed almost certain that he was ready to bid farewell to professional tennis. However, a resurgence in his physical condition has introduced some uncertainty. “I’m rediscovering the pleasure of playing tennis, to have fun,” Nadal expressed. He acknowledged his desire to assess whether his current form is sustainable or merely a temporary phase. “I want to give myself the opportunity to see if my body stays at this level or if it is a passing thing. I want to see how I feel after the Olympics, then we’ll figure out what happens. I will make a decision about my future in great serenity thinking that I have always given my best. I always said this would be my last year, but I’m not sure because you never know what can happen in the future,” he said.
Despite the early exit at Roland Garros, Nadal’s performance indicated a significant improvement from a few months earlier. This newfound vitality has led him to consider extending his career beyond what he had initially planned. He opted out of Wimbledon and other grass-court events, but his participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics is confirmed, where he aims for a major medal, potentially in partnership with his compatriot and rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
Before the Olympics, Nadal will compete in the Bastad ATP 250 tournament to fine-tune his game. To prepare, he has been rigorously training at his academy in Greece, focusing on clay courts. A move to Sweden is planned soon, as he gears up for what could be one of his final professional tournaments before the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the story of Roger Federer’s decline serves as a poignant backdrop to Nadal’s current journey. On July 7, 2021, Federer played in the Wimbledon quarter-final for the 18th time, becoming the oldest quarter-finalist in the tournament’s Open era. However, he faced a tough match against Hubert Hurkacz and was defeated 6-3, 7-6, 6-0 in just an hour and 48 minutes. This match was particularly significant as it marked the end of Federer’s competitive singles career.
Federer’s knee troubles began in early 2020, leading to two surgeries that year and a long hiatus from the sport. He made a brief return in March 2021 in Doha, followed by participation in the clay-court events in Geneva and Roland Garros. After a hard-fought win against Dominik Koepfer in Paris, Federer withdrew to protect his knee, focusing on Wimbledon instead. Despite an early loss in Halle to Felix Auger-Aliassime, Federer managed to advance to the Wimbledon quarter-finals, becoming the oldest player to do so in the Open era.
The match against Hurkacz, however, was a turning point. Federer struggled in the second set, ultimately losing it 6-0, a scoreline not seen since the 2008 Roland Garros final. This match was his final singles appearance. Subsequently, Federer underwent another knee surgery and never returned to professional tennis. His loss to Hurkacz was his most significant at Wimbledon since 2002, when Mario Ancic defeated him in straight sets.
Nadal’s situation now reflects some parallels with Federer’s journey—facing the physical toll of an extensive career while still having moments of brilliance that spark hope for the future. As Nadal prepares for the Olympics, his determination and passion for the sport remain evident, making the final chapters of his career a compelling story to follow.
