Rafael Nadal’s future remains in the balance, but after a fine Olympics campaign in which he once again inspired fans, perhaps his priorities might have changed.
After all, few would have expected him to have been so active throughout 2024, especially with the injury turmoil of recent years.
With Rafa Nadal providing a fitness update recently following his run in Paris, all eyes are now on the US Open.
One fellow Spaniard, Alex Corretja, has now rated his chances of participating.
Alex Corretja rates Rafa Nadal’s US Open chances
Speaking to Spanish outlet El Larguero, the 50-year-old did not hold back in his assessment of his compatriot.
He first outlined potential fears over losing the allure of his legendary career should he overstay his welcome, noting: ‘I understand all the positions. But at the same time, he also asked what would change if Rafa stays for three, four, six or seven months.
‘Are we afraid of losing a myth? That the Rafa legend will get worse? That people, when he is 39, will think it’s a shame he didn’t retire?
‘Or will they simply remember all the good things Rafa did? If it’s three months more or less, will our perspective of him change a lot?
‘I understand that Rafa says, ‘Hey, I want to play as long as I want’, which we all share, and another thing is that if I say that I am retiring, this is already forever.’
Then, referencing Rafael Nadal‘s potential presence at the US Open specifically, he continued: ‘For the US Open on a fast court? You can’t get there without having played on a hard court in New York. Is he going to go to Cincinnati in 10 days with the change of surface again? I see it as almost impossible.
‘He has to find a place where he says, this is as far as I want to go and it is worth making that effort, like up to the Laver Cup.
‘What if he helps in one way or another in the Davis Cup team? Maybe motivating himself to play doubles and contribute something to the team that in September would put him in the semis and, maybe, if he goes to the final, he would play in November.
‘If not, how do you train in Manacor now thinking about what I am preparing for? For me, that is the problem.’
Rafael Nadal is still scheduled to play the US Open
Whether he drops out closer to the time or not remains to be seen, but thus far there are just two events left in Nadal’s calendar at the moment: the US Open and the Laver Cup.
The latter seems almost a formality that he will play, given the romanticised retirement options it would provide, especially after his long-time rival and great friend Roger Federer called time on his career at this very event back in 2022.
However, having enjoyed a 2024 with far more tennis than even he could have expected, there is also every chance that it might have sparked his interest in pushing for one final year on tour, or, one final run at the Roland Garros title.
This year, facing Alexander Zverev in the first round was about as tough a draw as he could have got.
He deserves to go out at that event with more of a flourish than that, and given how impressively his body has held up after all the torment put through it in recent years, perhaps the US Open and Laver Cup might end up being inconsequential anyway with his grander plans down the line.
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