Paris: Former world number one and tennis legend Boris Becker has weighed in on Rafael Nadal's future at the French Open, suggesting that the Spaniard may not return to the prestigious tournament next year.
This comes in the wake of Nadal's unexpected first-round exit at Roland Garros, where he fell to Germany's Alexander Zverev in straight sets, with a final score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Nadal, aged 37, who had previously announced that the 2024 season would mark his final year at the highest level due to ongoing fitness struggles, did not confirm whether his loss signaled his last appearance at the Roland Garros, a venue where he has enjoyed unparalleled success.
With a record-breaking 14 titles to his name, Nadal's dominance on the clay courts of Paris is unmatched in the history of the tournament.
On Tuesday, Becker expressed his belief that Nadal would opt out of the French Open in 2025, despite possibly participating in the Olympics held at Roland Garros. "I believe that Rafa will still play the Olympics at Roland Garros, but I don’t think he’ll play the French Open again in 2025," he stated.
Becker further elaborated on Nadal's emotional state following the defeat, highlighting the difficulty of bidding potential farewells amid uncertainty. He noted, "Of course, he has emotions and probably had a sleepless night because he didn’t know whether it would be the last time. He wanted to say goodbye well. Then his opponent was Zverev, against whom he can lose even on a good day. That’s why it was emotionally very difficult for Nadal."
Nadal's future in professional tennis remains a subject of speculation, with fans and pundits alike eager to see whether the Spanish maestro will grace the courts of Roland Garros once again.