Garbine Muguruza offered a significant update on the future of Rafael Nadal in professional tennis.
The Spaniard has not played since the Olympic Games in July and there are currently no plans for him to play again in a professional capacity for the rest of the season.
The 38-year-old has competed in just 19 singles matches in 2024 and during that time he made just one final, which came at the Swedish Open in Bastad, before the Paris Olympics.
It is unclear whether Rafael Nadal will return to the court anytime soon, but if what he told Muguruza is anything to go by, the 22-time Grand Slam champion in tennis may not be on the court for much longer.
What did Rafael Nadal say to Garbine Muguruza?
Nadal has enjoyed an illustrious tennis career which has spanned over 20 years. But in 2024 the former World number one struggled to find his best form and maintain his fitness.
Nadal seems to be ready for life after tennis as he continues to raise his son Rafael Nadal Jr, and Garbine Muguruza thinks Nadal is ready for retirement, and he could announce it this year.
“He’s so ready. His body, his mind, just everything. It’s time to also enjoy his kid,” Muguruza told Tennis.com. “I see him smiling all the time with his baby. I’m like, ‘Why are you on the court still? Go home, take the boat, go in Mallorca.’ I think he gave everything he had.
“It’s hard to know him. He’s very shy. We talked a little bit at the Laureus Awards in Madrid earlier this year. He said, ‘This is my last year,’ but he didn’t share anything else. I don’t want to ask him personal questions.”
Will Rafael Nadal play at the Laver Cup?
Nadal had committed to playing in the Laver Cup as his next tournament after the Olympic Games.
But Nadal will no longer be taking part at the Laver Cup and has been replaced by World number 10 Grigor Dimitrov.
“I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week,” a statement via the Laver Cup’s X account read.
“This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.
“I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn in his final year as Captain. I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”
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