Rafael Nadal has raised concerns that he may have already played his last professional match after addressing his chances of competing at the US Open.
Nadal and Alcaraz crashed out of the Olympics men’s doubles quarter-final on Wednesday night. The 38-year-old previously said he would give an update on his future and potential retirement plans after the Paris 2024 Games.
Once his campaign officially came to an end, Nadal sparked retirement questions with a worrying confession about his US Open plans.
“Looks like not but I’m gonna let you know soon,” Nadal said when asked if he would be heading State-side for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. “For me, now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me, looks difficult.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion put himself on the US Open entry list as a formality to give himself time to make a decision on whether or not he will play, as athletes were required to sign up six weeks before the start date. While it looks like he will skip Flushing Meadows, Nadal couldn’t say whether he had played his last match on Stade Roland Garros, offering some hope that his career will continue.
Quizzed about whether it was the last time the fans could see him on Court Philippe-Chatrier, he replied: “Maybe. I think 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 in particular in this place so I can’t really thank enough all of them for giving me the feeling that I have inside myself and the emotions that they make me feel. So I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but if that’s the last time I enjoyed it.”
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