Rafael Nadal’s retirement date and tournament are still unknown; however, a tennis journalist has advised him against accepting the “millions” to organize his farewell event in Saudi Arabia.
The tennis legend disclosed last year that the 2024 season will likely be his final professional campaign; however, he has declined to disclose the final event.
As a 14-time champion in Paris, it was initially proposed that the French Open would serve as his spectacular finale. However, the tournament has since concluded.
Next was the Paris Olympics at Roland Garros, but Nadal has verified that he plans to play at the Laver Cup in Berlin in September.
Indeed, the 22-time Grand Slam champion responded to journalists who inquired about his future after his loss at Paris 2024 by stating, “You want me to retire every day, guys; you ask me for that.”
“I am making every effort to achieve my full potential.” I am unable to endure each day with the belief that it may or may not be my final match.
Of course that hasn’t stopped fans, former players, analysts and journalists from speculating with some saying the Laver Cup could well be his final tournament as he will emulate his great rival Roger Federer as the Swiss bowed out of tennis after playing doubles with Nadal at the 2022 edition in London.
Although the Laver Cup is part of the ATP-sanctioned event, it is still seen as an exhibition event and French journalist Benoît Maylin doesn’t believe the tournament – or an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia – should be his big sendoff.
“Who’s going to be able to afford Nadal’s farewell? It should have been at Roland Garros this year or at the Olympics, the symbolism would have been potent but he didn’t want to,” Maylin said on Sans Filet.
“[Will his farewell be] at the Laver Cup, as with Federer, who lined up the zeros to get it in September? In Saudi Arabia, where he became the ambassador of their tennis federation this year and who could coordinate an exhibition worth millions?
“As long as it’s nothing like that, it would tarnish the image of a champion renowned for his ethics.”
Instead, the Frenchman believes the Davis Cup Finals – which will be staged in Malaga, Spain – would be a “beautiful” sendoff for the tennis legend.
He added: “So if he has to stop this year, let him do it in Spain, defending his country’s colours in the Davis Cup, with Carlos Alcaraz. That would be beautiful.”
Spain still have to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage in Malaga. They face Australia, Czech Republic and France in the group stage in September.
Last year they failed to qualify for the elimination phase after finishing third behind Czech Republic and Serbia in Group C.