Rafa Nadal hints at tennis retirement backflip amid ‘crazy’ scenes before French Open
In scenes described as “crazy” from fans on social media, some 10,000 fans filled the stands on Court Suzanne Lenglen to watch Nadal hit up against Denmark’s Holger Rune. The Spaniard looked sharp and even though it was a just a practice session, the 22-time major winner got the better of Rune after going ahead 7-5 2-0 in promising signs before his opening match against Alexander Zverev at the French Open.
It’s a brutal draw for Nadal, who will be up against it taking on the in-form World No.4, who won the recent Italian Open in preparation for the clay court slam. Rome wasn’t as fruitful for Nadal, who was blown off the court in the third round by World No.9 Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 6-3 as he continues to return to full match fitness after a series of injuries and a surgically repaired hip.
Nadal has been battling to get back into shape after making his long-awaited return from injury at Barcelona, where he lost in the second round to Alex de Minaur. He then gained revenge on the Aussie at the Madrid Open before suffering a gruelling defeat in the round of 16, then making the third round of the Italian Open.
But the Spaniard admitted his chances of competing in Paris were touch-and-go and the tennis world expected that 2024 would be the final time they see the King of clay grace the courts at Roland Garros. However, Nadal has been encouraged by his form and fitness in recent weeks and made the bombshell admission that this may not be his French Open swansong after all, following his practice hit-out in front of a packed house.
