Rafael Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, has disclosed that the renowned tennis player experienced discomfort, leading to the suspension of his practice session on Thursday. As this is likely Nadal’s final year in competitive tennis, he is set to participate in what could be his last Olympics, competing in both men’s singles and doubles events. In Paris, Nadal aims for his third Olympic gold medal, having previously won in Beijing 2008 for singles and in 2016 for men’s doubles.
Securing a medal in Paris would be particularly significant for Nadal, as the tennis matches are set to take place at Roland Garros, where he has claimed victory in the French Open 14 times.
When discussing his future, Nadal did not announce his retirement but mentioned that he would decide after the Paris Olympics and confirmed his participation in the Laver Cup. He shared, “Life is not linear. There are phases that often correlate with physical states. I try to enjoy each moment as it comes.”
He continued, “With a positive outlook, I focus on my daily capabilities. After this, I plan to take time to reflect on what I need personally and what I truly want to pursue. I’ll play the Laver Cup, and post-Games, I’ll take some time to consider my needs.”
Recent media reports highlighted Nadal’s injury, which interrupted his practice session on Thursday. His coach, Carlos Moya, mentioned on Spanish radio, “He felt some discomfort on Wednesday morning. By the afternoon, he was more restricted and chose to stop before it worsened.”
Moya added, “We must avoid forcing it right now and see how he recovers. We’ll assess his condition on Friday and Saturday. I can’t promise anything, whether he will or won’t play. He needs to rest and undergo treatment. He is incredibly eager to compete in these Olympics, having marked this event on his calendar for years.”
“He is a natural competitor and is enthusiastic about both singles and doubles. He’s particularly excited about partnering with Alcaraz in doubles, marking a historic moment for Spanish tennis,” Moya concluded.
In the men’s singles first round, Rafael Nadal is set to face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics. Should he win, he might compete against Novak Djokovic, who must first win his opening match against Matthew Ebden.
