Rafael Nadal Retirement: Tennis legend John McEnroe has made a big prediction on Rafael Nadal’s retirement. 36-year old Nadal is set to begin his Australia Open title defence on Monday. He faces Jack Draper in the first round. The Spaniard is however currently enduring poor form that has given rise to talks on his retirement. McEnroe too had his say on when the 22-time Grand Slam champion will hang up his racquet. Follow Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Rafael Nadal Retirement: John McEnroe’s BIG PREDICTION on ‘when Rafa Nadal is retiring’: Check OUT & Follow Australian Open 2023 LIVE
How it started (2004) ➡️ How it’s going (2023)@rafaelnadal • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/LESOES5xpz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2023
Former World No.1 McEnroe said, “Obviously, at 36, your body can only take so much; at some point it is going to give out. How much longer can he do this at this level? As soon as he, I think, feels like he can’t win majors, he’s going to stop.”
The American however had his words of praise for Nadal, “It is tough to write Rafa off at any point, given that he did so well last year. I continue to be amazed by him. It’s amazing how much hunger he has still, with all the success that he’s had,” he added.
Earlier, World No.13 Alexander Zverev made a bold statement on Nadal’s retirement. He said that the Spaniard would retire after this year’s French Open. The clay court Grand Slam event is Nadal’s most successful Slam, where he has won a staggering 14 titles.
“I don’t want it to happen, but I think he will have a great tournament, potentially win it and say goodbye”, said Zverev in a 2023 predictions video for Eurosport.
Despite the talks form all the quarters, Nadal has so far dismissed any talks of retirement. “I have a very good relationship with Zverev, but not enough to confess something like that to him. I don’t know what’s going to happen in six months,” Nadal said.
Nadal makes his return to the Australia Open after lifting his career’s second title at the year’s first grand slam event last year. Nadal is now aiming to lift a record 23rd Grand Slam title. However he has been struggling over the last few month with fitness and form. He last played at the United Cup where he lost both his group stage matches.
He also bowed out from the group stages at the ATP World Tour Finals in December. He enters the Australian Open as the top seed following the withdrawal of World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz. He is set to begin his title defence at the Rod Laver Arena on Monday.
Rafael Nadal Retirement: John McEnroe’s BIG PREDICTION on ‘when Rafa Nadal is retiring’: Check OUT & Follow Australian Open 2023 LIVE
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