Rafael Nadal banned questions about his retirement and the 36-year-old told reporters “don’t keep going on” about his final days on a tennis court. The all-time Grand Slam record holder will be bidding for his 23 Major title when the Australian Open begins in just over two weeks’ time and says for now he is there to “keep playing tennis”.
Nadal won the Australian and French Open last year but showed there is work to be done ahead of this season’s opening Grand Slam. Representing Spain in the United Cup team competition, Nadal fell to a 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 defeat at the hands of British No.2 Cameron Norrie.
During a press conference afterwards a disgruntled Nadal banned any continued talk about his retirement He said: “I lost my match. That’s it, no? Every time I come to a press conference it seems that I have to retire.
“So you are very interested on my retirement. I mean, that, for the moment, isn’t the case. When the day arrives, I’m going to let you know, guys. Don’t keep going (on) with the retirement, because I’m here to keep playing tennis.”
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It is unclear how much Nadal has left to give in 2023 after last season was hampered by injuries following successive Grand Slam triumphs at the Australian and French Opens. There was also concerns that Nadal looked short of confidence during his defeat to Norrie.
Nadal has not ruled out next month’s Australian Open being his last. “As a professional you never know,” he said. “Hopefully not… [I’m] not thinking about it being my last time here. If that’s the last time, let’s try to enjoy as much as possible. Let’s try to create something special, no?”
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The world No.2 remains non-committal about when his retirement will be and has now banned the question from being asked. “I don’t visualise it for a simple fact, because I’m not one to try to guess, predict or prepare the future, because things change very quickly, right?” he recently told Marca.
“I know that moment is closer than last year, without a doubt, and two years ago. That is pure logic But in the end it is something that when it has to happen, it will happen. I would like it to be on a tennis court, yes.”
