Rafael Nadal hinted that his storied career at Roland Garros may have reached its conclusion following his and Carlos Alcaraz’s exit from the Olympics men’s doubles on Wednesday. The Spanish pair, who had captivated audiences throughout the Paris Games, were defeated in the quarter-finals by the US fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-4.
Nicknamed “Nadalcaraz,” the duo had been one of the primary attractions of the tennis tournament, delivering electrifying performances in their initial matches. However, their journey came to an end against Krajicek and Ram, both of whom boast Grand Slam-winning credentials in doubles.
Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion and a legend at Roland Garros, where he is immortalized with a statue, has seen his ranking plummet to 161 due to a series of injuries. This latest defeat has intensified speculation about his future in the sport. After his earlier singles loss to Novak Djokovic, Nadal stated he would decide on his career trajectory post-Olympics.
As he left Court Philippe Chatrier, Nadal applauded the crowd, who responded with overwhelming support. When asked if this was his final appearance at Roland Garros, he responded with uncertainty.
“Maybe, I don’t know,” Nadal said. “If that’s the last time, for me it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and the support every single second that I have been on court. For me, it’s super, super special to feel that, particularly in this place. I can’t really thank enough all of them for giving me the feelings that I have inside myself and the emotions that they make me feel.”
Nadal also hinted at potentially skipping this year’s US Open, a tournament he has won four times. “I need some time, but for me, it looks difficult,” he admitted.
Reflecting on his Olympic journey, Nadal, who won singles gold in Beijing in 2008 and doubles gold in Rio in 2016, expressed his disappointment at not securing a medal in Paris. “For me personally, 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.”
Nadal highlighted the unique significance of the Olympics, stating, “Honestly, the feeling and the emotions that you live at an Olympic Games are difficult to compare with other events because here you feel part of something bigger than only a personal team. That’s an amazing feeling. I feel so lucky that I have been able to win a gold in singles because, in the end, it’s the most difficult event to win because you have just a few chances in your career. That’s the truth.”
Despite the setback, Nadal reaffirmed his reverence for the Olympics, calling it “the most important event in the world of sport.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz, a rising star with four Grand Slam titles at just 21, has advanced to the men’s singles quarter-finals as the second seed. Reflecting on his partnership with Nadal, Alcaraz described it as an unforgettable experience. “It was an unbelievable experience for me, something that I will never forget, that’s for sure, playing on the same side of the net with Rafa, learning from him.”
As Nadal contemplates the next steps in his illustrious career, his legacy at Roland Garros and in the tennis world remains indelible, marked by unforgettable moments and unparalleled achievements.
Fahad is an entrepreneur and a marketing enthusiast who loves to write on trending topics. He loves travelling & playing tennis is what he does in his leisure time. He tweets @fahad164.
Email:- fahad164@gmail.com , fahad@themediaparadigm.com
