'It will be my last year...' - Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal speaks about his retirement plans ahead of ATP 250 in Brisbane

In a candid revelation, 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal acknowledged the possibility of 2024 marking the culmination of his illustrious ATP professional career. Addressing concerns about his potential retirement, Nadal admitted that it is a reality he is contemplating.

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It's worth noting that Nadal is currently preparing for his comeback at the ATP 250 in Brisbane on December 29. Following a year-long hiatus due to an iliopsoas injury, this will be his first professional appearance. Meanwhile, in a recent social media video, Nadal delved into the uncertainty surrounding his future. Indicating that retirement might occur either after the 2024 season, halfway through, or even sooner if his body doesn't cooperate.

The Spaniard emphasised that while the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris offer additional motivation, he remains cautious about predicting the exact timeline of his career's conclusion. "It is a reality; there are many chances that it will be my last year, without any doubt. There are chances that it may only be half a year. There is a possibility that it may be a full year. There are possibilities that we may not be able to reach all of that. These are things that, right now, I do not have the capacity to be able to answer," Nadal stated.

"I do not want to announce it," says Rafael Nadal

Further, Rafael Nadal expressed his intention to relish every tournament, acknowledging the uncertainty but refraining from making definitive statements due to the unpredictable nature of his physical condition. Nadal emphasised the need to provide flexibility in his decisions.

"I do not want to announce it because, in the end, I do not know what can happen, and I have to give myself the opportunity not to say one thing, and then I can be a slave to what I have said. I think it is going to be like that, but I can't be 100 per cent sure because in the end, I have worked a lot to come back to compete, and if suddenly things and my physique allow me to continue and I enjoy what I do, why am I going to set a deadline?" As Nadal gears up for his return, Tennis enthusiasts will keenly observe the unfolding chapters of his remarkable career.