October 22nd 2024.
According to Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, he will be retiring from professional men's tennis next month. As he prepares to say goodbye to the sport, he has given his thoughts on fellow player Novak Djokovic and his future in the game.
Nadal believes that Djokovic will experience a "small mental breakdown" before he officially retires, as he is the last player remaining from the Big Four era. With Nadal himself joining Roger Federer and Andy Murray in retirement after the Davis Cup Finals, Djokovic has expressed feeling overwhelmed by the loss of his rivals and admits that a part of him has left with them.
In July, Djokovic, who is now considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, stated his desire to continue competing against the newer generation of players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. However, at 37 years old, it is clear that Djokovic's time on the ATP Tour may be coming to an end soon. Nadal believes that the toll of time will eventually catch up to Djokovic, leading him to have a breakdown and step aside from the sport.
"I think it's only human for Novak to feel the effects of age, even if he is still healthy," Nadal shared in an interview with Spanish outlet AS. "And it's only natural that once Federer and I are gone, as we have been his two greatest rivals, he will also have a small mental breakdown and find a reason to retire."
Despite this, Nadal also recognizes Djokovic's abilities and believes that if he remains healthy and happy in his career, he can continue to compete at the highest level and win the most important tournaments. However, if the sacrifices and efforts required to maintain his level of play become too much, Nadal believes Djokovic will make the decision to step away from the sport.
In his own career, Nadal has faced numerous injury struggles in his later years. And as he looks ahead to his final professional appearance at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November, he has hinted that he may have to reconsider if he is not physically fit enough to represent Spain.
After participating in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, which will be his second-to-last tournament before retirement, Nadal expressed his thoughts on the upcoming Davis Cup Finals. "Will I be ready for the Davis Cup? Emotionally, yes, that's for sure," he stated. "Physically and tennis-wise, I still have a month to prepare. I will do my best to be in shape and help the team win. However, if I don't feel ready, I will be the first to step away and see how I can contribute."
In the end, Nadal's top priority is to feel competitive and give his best on the court. If he is not able to do so, he will not hesitate to withdraw from the competition. Retirement may be on the horizon for both Nadal and Djokovic, but for now, they will continue to give their all in the remaining time they have in the sport.
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