Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is in the twilight of his career. The 37-year-old, who has as many as 22 Grand Slam titles to his credit, is struggling to keep up with the demands of modern-day tennis.
Nadal has been pegged down by injuries, but his fans want him to have a last dance at his favorite tournament, Roland Garros. Not just fans; his longtime rival Novak Djokovic also wants the same.
Novak Djokovic (L), Rafael Nadal (R) (Source: IMAGO)
As Nadal pulled out of the Monte-Carlo Masters over fitness concerns, there are doubts about his participation at the French Open. While the Spaniard has not said anything about that, fans fear that fitness concerns might not allow the 37-year-old to play in his favorite tournament.
Despite these concerns, there is optimism, and Novak Djokovic is doing the same. The Serbian ace wants Nadal to play at the 2024 Roland Garros because “it is important for tennis.” While the 24-time Grand Slam champion admits that only Rafael Nadal has the power to decide, Djokovic is hopeful of seeing his rival at the French Open.
He is a legend of this sport, and as a tennis fan, I hope he can be at Roland Garros. It is important for tennis that he can play, especially this year, where he has said it may be his last. No one except him has the right to say what is good for him.Novak Djokovic said
Will Rafael Nadal live up to Novak Djokovic’s optimism?
Not just the fans and Novak Djokovic, but Rafael Nadal might also be thinking about his prospects to play at the 2024 French Open. The Spaniard has indicated that he wants to play on his favorite surface and at his favorite tournament, where he has been invincible with fourteen titles to his credit.
However, with Nadal pulling out of every tournament, there are rising concerns over his match-preparedness for a high-intensity tournament like Roland Garros. The 37-year-old did not play at the Australian Open for his lack of preparedness to play at a Grand Slam tournament.
Now, as the tour moves closer to the year’s second Grand Slam tournament, Nadal has not played enough to directly play at such a high-profile tournament. The Spaniard has only played an exhibition event after pulling out of the Australian Open.
He was expected to play the clay season, but the pullout from the Monte-Carlo Masters has only raised doubts about his participation in the French Open. Experts also feel that Nadal might not be able to come back to the tour. So, it does not look likely that Nadal will live up to Djokovic’s optimism.
