Rafael Nadal says 2024 season might not be his last

Rafael Nadal lost his doubles match at the Brisbane International in Australia on Sunday, but he apparently came out a winner.

The Spanish great didn't appear to be affected by the hip injury that sidelined him for nearly one year, and on Sunday, he said 2024 might not be his last season on the ATP Tour after all.

Previously, he said he anticipated retiring after this season.

"The problem about saying it's going to be my last season is that I can't predict what's going on 100 percent in the future," Nadal said before the doubles match. "That's the thing. That's why I say probably."

Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, injured his hip flexor at the Australian Open in 2023. He is scheduled to play in the Melbourne tournament this year.

He said it might be his last appearance at the Australian Open -- and it might not be.

"You never know what's going on, you know? I can't predict how I'm going to be in the next six months. I can't predict if my body will allow me to enjoy tennis as much as I enjoyed the past 20 years," he said.

Nadal has won the Australian Open twice (2009, 2022) to go with two victories at Wimbledon, four at the U.S. Open and a record 14 French Open titles.

On Sunday, Nadal and partner Marc Lopez lost 6-4, 6-4 to Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.

He opens his singles season Tuesday against qualifier Dominic Thiem, a former world No. 3 who is fighting back from injuries. He lost to Nadal in the finals at the French Open in 2018 and '19.