Toni Nadal reveals the way Rafael Nadal is now dreaming of retiring ahead of Roland Garros

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Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni Nadal has outlined the dream ending to the tennis legend’s career.

Following a year on the sidelines due to injury, the 22-time Grand Slam announced that 2024 is likely to be his final season on tour. Should this come to fruition tennis will soon say goodbye to one of its greatest ever players.

Therefore, the upcoming edition of Roland Garros could mark the Spaniard’s final appearance at the clay court Grand Slam, where he has claimed an unprecedented 14 championships.

But after coaching the 36-year-old for his entire career until 2017, the elder Nadal, 63, believes he knows exactly how his nephew wants to leave tennis.

Toni Nadal hints at Rafael Nadal’s ideal retirement plan

Nadal has had more success at Roland Garros than any other tournament in which he has competed. He has lost just three matches on the Parisian clay and has only been taken to five sets on three occasions.

Nadal will be searching for a 15th French Open title in 2024, and Uncle Toni believes this is exactly how his nephew would want to finish his illustrious career.

“He is not going to drag himself down, he remains confident because of his mentality and way of being,” he told ESPN about the former World Number One via Sportskeeda.

“He will not go to Roland Garros to lose in the second round, only if he believes he can win the tournament.

“His dream ending would be to win Roland Garros and retire, but I think if he does he will want to continue. He won’t retire.”

Is Rafael Nadal confirmed for Roland Garros?

After some uncertainty following his early exit from the Italian Open, Nadal has been confirmed for what could be his final Roland Garros appearance.

Nadal has played just eight clay-court matches before the second major of the year this season, and concerns regarding his fitness remain.

But Spanish media outlet AS reported that he will travel to Paris ahead of competing at a Grand Slam for the first time since the Australian Open in January 2023.

Highlighting his intention to compete at Roland Garros, Nadal told France TV Sport via Sportskeeda: “I don’t want to feel helpless like I did in Barcelona or Madrid,” he said.

“If there’s a 0.01% chance (that I can be competitive in Roland Garros), then I sure want to try to play; if not, then I prefer to keep all of the happy memories.”