Rafael Nadal has won a record 14 French Open titles during his illustrious career. He isn't sure whether he will ever contend for another one.
Nadal was knocked out of the 2024 French Open after drawing a first-round matchup against No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev. Nadal fought hard at his first major tournament match since the 2023 Australian Open, but Zverev still got the best of him, sweeping him in three sets 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday.
After the match, the 38-year-old Nadal opened up about his future and whether he would continue his career and vie for another French Open appearance.
Here's what you should know about what may have been Nadal's final French Open match.
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Nadal acknowledged his loss to Zverev may be his last match at the French Open, but it sounded like he's hopeful it won't be.
"For me, it's difficult to say what's going on in the future now," Nadal told the crowd in a post-match interview. "[There] is a big percentage that I will not be back playing here at Roland Garros, but I can't say 100 percent."
Nadal outlined that he still has some things he wants to accomplish during his tennis career. That includes a particular goal he hopes to accomplish during the summer.
"I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics," Nadal told the crowd. "That motivates me. That's going to be another chance, and I really hope to be well prepared."
The 2024 Olympics are being held in Paris, so that could give Nadal a chance to make a final, positive memory on the court at Roland Garros. He may want to participate in singles competition, but he could consider teaming up with his countryman — World No. 3 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz — to try to take home a gold medal in the doubles as well.
All that's to say that it doesn't seem like Nadal is ready to retire. He just knows that the end of his career is near and he may never make it back to the French Open at Roland Garros.
"The feelings that you made me feel here are just unforgettable now," Nadal said. "Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I really hope to see you again, but I don't know."
