Rafael Nadal Reflects on Roland Garros 2024 Exit
Following his unexpected first-round loss on Court Philippe Chatrier, Nadal surprised everyone with his upbeat demeanor at the press conference. Despite his long-standing dominance at Roland Garros, where he has often emerged victorious even against the sport’s greatest players, he didn’t display any signs of frustration. Instead, he chose to see his defeat as a step towards progress, a perspective that instills hope for his future performances. ‘I wasn’t that far,’ Nadal remarked, ‘That’s how I feel.’
His demeanor highlighted what has been increasingly clear over the past few weeks: if this is the end of his career, it will be because his body has decided, not his mind. As he approaches his 38th birthday, it’s evident that Nadal’s love for the sport is unwavering. He would love to continue playing and is determined to do everything possible to extend his career, a dedication that commands admiration.
Just a month ago, after a long and challenging recovery period, Nadal made a remarkable return to the court in Barcelona and Madrid. Despite grappling with numerous physical issues, including hip surgery and various unrelated injuries, he was able to compete at a high level. His ambitions were modest, focused solely on ensuring his body could withstand the rigorous demands of high-level competition.
Given those parameters, Nadal’s participation at Roland Garros, his most crucial court, where he has achieved numerous victories, was a significant step. He returned to this court, performed decently, challenged one of the tournament favorites, and left feeling physically well. His performance, though not his best, was a testament to his resilience and determination.
Nadal believed he could have beaten many other players in this year’s field and that a better draw might have allowed him to build his form gradually. Roland Garros came too late in his recovery and faced a formidable opponent early, but it was easier to accept than be sidelined with no hope of progress.
“I cannot tell you if I will be ready in a month and a half because my body has been unpredictable for two years. One day, I wake up feeling great; the next day, it’s like I’m being attacked by a tiger,” Nadal said, smiling. “It has been a big fight with everything I’ve gone through. But the last few weeks have been positive. I felt ready. I think I would be ready to play again tomorrow if I had to. But I don’t have to.”
On the court, Nadal’s consistent training over the past five weeks has allowed him to steadily improve. For the first time in 15 months, he has been able to train without any limitations. What’s more, he has been accompanied by his entire family, including his parents, wife, and his son for the first time. Their unwavering support and presence have been a source of renewed energy for him, highlighting the importance of a strong support network in an athlete’s journey.
This period has been interesting for farewells and the motivations of players late in their careers. Last week, Dominic Thiem, who faced Nadal in consecutive French Open finals in 2018 and 2019, played his final French Open at 30, losing in the qualifying draw. After a series of injuries and burnout, Thiem’s decision to retire sounded logical and rational. He argued that continuing into his late 30s is still unusual, like Nadal and his rivals. ‘I had a very intense career,’ Thiem said. ‘I don’t feel like I’m 30 or 31. I feel a bit older, tennis-wise, to be honest. It was very intense.’
