During a conversation with sports journalist Jon Wertheim on his podcast ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, the 2003 US Open champion said that he had this hope that Rafael Nadal was going to get healthy. Roddick revealed that he at least thought that the Spaniard would get back to playing soon, if not start to win matches.
Andy Roddick revealed that he really wants the 22-time Grand Slam champion to get healthy soon. While elaborating, he said that it’s ironic because Rafael Nadal has already overplayed his career, but given the fact that he was playing so well just two years ago, it feels almost wrong that he is not able to play at all currently.
I want that for him. In all of our sadness, we need to realize, I didn’t think he was going to play past 30 years old with the way he plays. It’s like feeling sad for someone living to 107 and then passing away. Andy Roddick said
In response, Jon Wertheim pointed out that the fact that an athlete can not script his own retirement is one of the saddest realities of sports.
This is one of the great tragedies of sport. You don’t get to author your own ending. It’s going to be a very interesting French Open in six weeks. Jon Wertheim seconded Roddick’s take
Rafael Nadal provides injury update and gives a possible return date
It almost feels like Nadal has been delaying his return to the court for eternity. He suffered a hip injury during the 2023 Australian Open, which forced him out of the tour that year.
Rafa then made a comeback in the Brisbane International 2024 but once again suffered a muscle issue during his quarterfinal match against Jordan Thompson and has not participated in any tournament since then. He just played an exhibition match, ‘The Netflix Slam’, against Carlos Alcaraz in the middle.
The Spaniard recently pulled out of the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters as well, which marked the beginning of the clay season that Rafa so dearly likes. The Spaniard had already cited a number of reasons for his decision and he has now expanded on them further in his interview with Movistar.
My body won't let me. It's getting difficult for me. It's been a difficult year and a half, I'm trying every day. I have things to solve, and the reality is that at the moment I'm not being able to put myself in a position to compete. It's hard. Nadal in an interview with Spanish broadcaster Movistar
Nadal’s only current goal is to somehow make himself available for the 2024 French Open. Unfortunately, even that seems to be unlikely now.
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