Tracy Austin believes she knows exactly what will happen to Rafael Nadal before he retires.
The tennis commentator has watched the 22-time Grand Slam champion for a number of years as he brought his electric game and elite mentality to every match.
This was on show once again as Nadal defeated Mariano Navone at the Swedish Open to advance to his first semi-final since 2022 in a four-hour epic.
This match optimised Nadal’s entire career as he once again displayed his abilities to stay competitive and fight to the very end, no matter the match situation.
What did Tracy Austin say about Rafael Nadal as he nears retirement?
Ahead of the 2024 season Nadal said it may be the final year of his illustrious career. He was injured for a year and sat out the remainder of 2023 following his second round exit from the Australian Open.
Injuries have been a constant thorn in the 38-year-old’s side throughout his career, but he has managed to overcome each setback.
Therefore, Austin believes that it will eventually be an injury that forces Nadal into retirement, and at the same time, she made a comparison to Andy Murray.
“It’s interesting to see. Andy Murray, you just couldn’t get him off the tennis court. You couldn’t stop him competing until his body gave out. I think it is going to be the same with Rafa,” Austin told Tennis Channel.
“They have been used to doing it for so long, they never tire of it, and they don’t mind travelling because they bring their whole entourage and family with them and we get the best of that.”
What has Rafael Nadal said about retirement?
Having played sparingly over the past two years due to injury issues and now into his late 30s, Nadal announced that 2024 may be his last on the ATP Tour.
If he does hang up his racket at the end of the year, tennis will lose one of its greatest and most beloved players.
Nadal does not want to look too far into the future, but after competing in the French Open back in May, he has not ruled out the possibility of continuing after this year.
“As I said, it’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros, but if I have to tell you it’s 100 per cent my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what’s going on,” he said.
“So in some way I don’t want to close, 100 per cent, the door, because of a very simple thing. First thing, I am enjoying playing tennis. Second thing, I am travelling with the family. They are enjoying and I am enjoying sharing all this process with them.”
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