Former world tennis No. 1 Rafael Nadal said Wednesday that Roland Garros and the Olympic Games were among his goals, while recalling that he had not decided whether 2024 would be his last year.
“I haven't decided 100% (...), I don't know what competitions I have left to play, I suspect there aren't many, but I can't confirm it” , replied Nadal during an interview with the Spanish television channel La Sexta.
A few hours earlier, he had announced his withdrawal from the tournament in Doha, Qatar.
Rafael Nadal, due to a micro-tear suffered at the Brisbane tournament on January 5, shortly after yet another comeback.
“I would have liked to play in Doha (...) Unfortunately, I am not ready to return to competition (...) I am focusing all my work to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the incredible Indian Wells tournament,” the Spanish champion wrote on X.
“Maybe in three months I will be in good health, I will enjoy it and I will want to continue” but “given my background, it is difficult for me to envisage this scenario”, he continues to the Sexta .
“My feeling is that I don't have many events left to play,” reaffirmed the winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments.
“Roland Garros is one of my goals,” he assured.
“I would also like to participate in the Olympic Games,” added the player crowned 14 times in Paris, specifying that he was not “100% sure” of being in good condition.
Asked about his great rival Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal admitted that he considered him the best player in history, even if he projected an image “worse than what he actually is”.
“The numbers say yes, for me it’s yes,” he responded when asked if Djokovic was the best tennis player of all time.
Regarding the explosive nature of the current world No.1, the Spaniard explained: “these are moments of frustration, Novak breaks his racket, but the next point he is ready to play again 100% and that is the best I’ve seen.”
Nadal also praised young Carlos Alcaraz.
His compatriot has “all the ingredients to achieve an incredible career,” he praised.
A big supporter of the Real Madrid football club, the Spanish tennis player also declared that he would like to see Frenchman Kylian Mbappé join the Madrid club.
“Of course I would like (to see Mbappé at Real Madrid),” Nadal replied during the same interview.
Nadal downplayed the fact that Mbappé refused to sign for Real Madrid in the past: “I'm not someone who holds grudges,” he said with a smile.