Rafael Nadal reveals he pondered retirement after Roland Garros: 'I'm not going to lie...'

Following retirement of 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer from professional tennis, 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal has revealed that even he considered ending his career, earlier this year. Federer made his final on-court appearance on Saturday by teaming up with Nadal for doubles event at Laver Cup 2022, playing for Team Europe. While day saw two of greatest players playing alongside each or for last time, it also marked end of greatest period in men’s tennis history. 

However, this day could have come earlier this year, when Nadal pondered retirement during French Open 2022 in June. Nadal made a comeback to tour in January following a five-month long hiatus due to injury. Meanwhile, moments after Federer’s retirement on Saturday, 22-time Grand Slam champion made a shocking admission about retiring. 

‘Thought that it might be my last tournament’: Nadal

On being asked about thought of retiring during a conversation with Spanish media outlet AS, Nadal said, ”I don't kw, I'm t at that moment yet. I was close to that time this year, I'm t going to lie to you. During Roland Garros, I thought that it might be my last tournament, this is reality. Although from n on everything went very bad physically, I broke my abdominal twice, at Wimbledon and in New York."

Nadal missed most of 2021 season due to a foot injury before making a winning comeback at Melbourne. He continued his winning momentum by winning his 21st Grand Slam title at Australian Open and later won French Open 2022 in June while batting with a foot injury. He n picked up an abdominal injury during Wimbledon 2022 and exited tournament ahead of semi-finals. 

What's next for Nadal?

“It has been an accumulation of important misfortunes, added to all se personal things. But I'm t in that moment and I don't want to think about that moment. Today, what I want is to get back to rmality, for everything to go well with my personal life, which is top priority, and n organize my life in right way. Have peace of mind in my personal and professional life,” Nadal added.

Meanwhile, following Federer's farewell at Laver Cup 2022, Nadal withdrew from tournament due to personal reasons. He will w be replaced by Cameron rrie in Team Europe. Teaming up with Federer in his last ATP Tour event, duo returned with a 4-6, 6-2, 11-9 loss in two hours and 13 minutes to Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.