Rafael Nadal shares the impact of Roger Federer’s retirement in 2022 and gives a little insight into when he might hang up his racket.
Speaking during a press conference for Netflix Slam on Saturday in Las Vegas, the 37-year-old tennis legend said he had an “emotional” reaction to his longtime rival’s exit from the game as he spoke about the impact it had on him.
“I became emotional because an important part of my professional life was gone,” said the tennis great. “At the end of the day with Roger, we shared the most important moments of our tennis careers probably playing against each other.”
During their illustrious careers, the two have faced each other 40 times, many of those matches for Grand Slam titles. Naturally, they developed a relationship and love for each other. In fact, Nadal was one of the first people outside of Federer’s family and team to learn of his retirement.
However, the former said on Saturday that his tennis counterpart’s exit from the professional game was not the catalyst for any thoughts of retiring from the game himself, although he explained that that moment may not be so far away.
Rafael Nadal speaks on stage during the Netflix Slam media availability event at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on March 2, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chris Unger/Getty
“First of all [I was] emotional because probably the most elegant player I’ve ever seen leave the tour. Second, as I said before, a part of my life went with him, but that thought never led me to any kind of retreat,” said Nadal.
“What has put me in a position to be close to retirement is my body more than anything else because my mind is healthy in terms of passion for what I do.”
Rafael Nadal admitted that Novak Djokovic is the ‘best’ tennis player of all time: ‘There is nothing to discuss’
On Sunday, Nadal will do what he loves, facing compatriot and phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz in Netflix Slamlive exhibition match at Las Vegas Mandalay Bay.
After that match, the French Open awaits us.
“The most important thing for me is to stay as healthy as possible. If that happens, then we can analyze where I am in terms of the level,” he said of the tournament on Saturday at a press conference with reporters.
Nadal’s dominance on the legendary red clay cannot be understated, as 14 of his 22 major victories have come at Roland-Garros.
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“I have to at least spend more time on tour, at least practice with professional players, and even if I don’t play many official matches, play practice matches,” he said on Saturday.
Everything about Rafael Nadal’s son
While tennis is still at the forefront of Nadal’s mind, so is fatherhood. In October 2022, the tennis great and his wife Mery “Xisxa” Perelló welcomed their first child, a son named Rafael Nadal Jr.
“Everything is 100% new for both of us, my wife and I,” he said of raising a child. “So you learn everyday things, and every day is unexpected… I really enjoy this part of my life.”
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Source: HIS Education