Rafael Nadal admits that it “looks difficult” to be able to play until he is 40 but also isn’t ruling out the possibility of playing professionally for four more years.
Nadal, who turned 36 in June, has had another injury-plagued season in 2022.
Still, he was able to win two Major titles and become a record 22-time Grand Slam champion this year.
Recently, Nadal and his wife welcomed their first child.
Nadal on whether he can play until he is 40
“I don’t know I can’t predict the future. It looks difficult, honestly, but at the same time, when I was 28 or 29, for me was super difficult to imagine myself playing at the age of 36, and here we are – In a high position on the ranking and being competitive. You never know what can happen. It always depends on different facts; some of them you are able to control, and others you don’t have the chance to control. So, let’s say I am super happy to be where I am at the age of 36 and a half. Let’s see, I just want to keep going and enjoy the fact that I am playing every year, which, for me, is a present,” Nadal answered, per Eurosport.
Meanwhile, Nadal is set to compete at the ATP Finals.
Nadal, who is one of the most accomplished players in tennis history, doesn’t have an ATP Finals title in his collection.
On Thursday, Nadal was placed in Green Group.
In the group stage, Nadal will be competing against Casper Ruud, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz.
On Sunday, Nadal is kicking off his campaign against Fritz.
Nadal hasn’t played much in recent time and he enters the US Open lacking matches.
However, Nadal has been spending a lot of time on the practice court in recent time and at least he is not lacking practice ahead of the ATP Finals.
It remains to be seen if this will be the year Nadal wins it all at the ATP Finals.