Paris Olympics 2024: ‘I cannot live…’ says Rafael Nadal after losing his likely last match against Novak Djokovic

Paris Olympics Day 3: Rafael Nadal, the two-time Olympic tennis gold medallist, crashed out of the second round of the singles tennis competition at the Paris Olympics 2024, losing to World No 2 Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-4 on Monday.

Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open titlist, is widely speculated to have played his last match at Roland Garros, even though the Spaniard wouldn't say if he plans to retire after the Olympics. 

Rafael Nadal was given a round of cheers from the spectators as he walked onto the court for his 60th head-to-head clash with Djokovic, reported the AP. Chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” filled the court the moment the 38-year-old tennis legend walked in and even helped him “win four consecutive games in the second set, including a forehand winner to break to make it 4-all,” reported the AP.

After his defeat to Djokovic, the Spaniard was weary of being questioned about his future. He, however, did not disclose whether he was retiring after the Olympics. 

Rafael Nadal expressed that he could not live his days with the feeling of uncertainty about whether it would be his last match. He said he tries his best in every match, and the world will know when he decides not to continue any further.

“I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be, or not going to be, my last match. I come here, I try my best, I play. And when I decide to stop playing, or when I decide to keep going, I will let you know. I don’t know,” said the former World No 1. 

Nadal expressed that he would stop playing and seek retirement from tennis when he feels he is not “competitive enough to keep going or physically I am not ready to keep going.”

Rafael Nadal partners with Carlos Alcaraz

The Spaniard next plays the Olympics doubles, with Carlos Alcaraz as his partner. The Spaniards, Carlos Alcaraz and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, are considered the dream duo in the men's doubles category.