‘End of a Cycle’: Rafael Nadal uncertain about tennis future after Paris Olympics exit

Rafael Nadal’s Paris Olympics campaign ended with a screeching halt in the men’s doubles quarter-finals on Wednesday as the 22-time Grand Slam champion and young sensation Carlos Alcaraz was trumped by the American pair of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

A 6-2, 6-4 defeat for ‘Nadalcraz’, the duo making a popular duo at the Games in the French capital, fuelled Nadal’s retirement talks, days after he was outwitted by his fierce rival Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles competition. The 38-year-old had entered the competition due to injury concerns and also suffered a first-round exit at the French Open earlier this year, a Grand Slam he had won a record 14 times.

The former World No. 1, however, remained undecided on his imminent playing career and said he will take some time to reflect before deciding the end of a cycle at the Games.

“This doesn’t affect anything. In the end, my future as a professional depends on my desire and feelings when I have to make the decision or not. For me, a stage has ended; I had set the Olympics as a goal since the beginning of the year.

“Has this cycle ended? I’ll go home, disconnect, and once I have a clear idea of my next stage, whether with a racket in hand or not, I’ll let you know,” Nadal was quoted as saying by BeIN Sports.

“I believe I’ve always put in enough effort to finish this journey with the personal satisfaction of having done everything possible and the peace of mind of having given my all on the court. I’m at peace. When I have clear motivations and desires, or on the contrary, if I don’t feel the motivation and ability to continue, I’ll take another path,” Nadal said.

Nadal and Alcaraz went down to USA’s Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in straight sets. (REUTERS)

‘Not good enough’

Nadal also admitted that he had not hit the levels that would have placed him in the contention for a medal.

“It’s been a fun week, positive in many ways, even if it didn’t end the way I dreamed. But that’s sports, right? In the end, I wasn’t at the level needed to fight for medals individually, and in doubles, I think we played very well. Today, we weren’t sharp. As I’ve said every day, matches go by quickly, and any detail can make a difference; we didn’t start well and couldn’t take the match to the limit,” he remarked.

The 2008 gold medallist, one of the torchbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Games this year, lauded his newly-formed partnership with Alcaraz.

“It’s a beautiful memory of playing with a player who is going to be one of the best in history, I have little doubt about that if his body holds up, which ultimately also depends on that. Playing together here, with the atmosphere in every match we’ve played, representing Spain at the Olympics, is a unique and beautiful experience. I’ve enjoyed it as much as I could,” Nadal said.

While he noted that a return to Roland Garros as a player looks unlikely, Nadal did not commit to the same. Though he has been listed on the US Open entry list, Nadal said he was uncertain of travelling to the Flushing Meadows. “It looks like not but I’m going to let you know soon. For me now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me it looks difficult.”

Nadal is, however, slated to play at the Laver Cup in Berlin in September, a venue where his long-time rival Roger Federer had hung up his boots in 2022.

“It was disappointing to not bring back a medal for Spain but that’s it. I tried my best in every single minute that I was on court, but it was not enough to achieve our goals. If that’s the last time, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions,” he added.

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