Spanish tennis star Rafa Nadal reiterated on Tuesday that finishing his career in 2024 remains his goal, while admitting he has taken two operations to try and heal his hip injury.
“I said that possibly 2024 was my last year, I maintain that, but I can not confirm it 100 percent because I do not know,” Nadal told Movistar.
The 37-year-old announced in May that the hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January meant he had to step away from the sport to try and come back stronger.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, reiterated on Tuesday that he “would like to play again and be competitive again”. “My hope is not to return to win Roland Garros or win (in) Australia, so that people are not confused, all that is a long way off,” he said in the interview.
“I am well aware of the difficulties that I face, one is insurmountable, that is age, and the other are physical problems.
“What makes me hopeful is to play again, to be competitive again.”
Nadal had two surgeries on his hip injury, one of which he announced publicly in June which was set to take around five months to heal.
When Nadal won the French Open title in 2022, he beat Novak Djokovic of Serbia to the record of winning the most Grand Slam singles titles (22). However, Djokovic soon caught up, securing four more majors with Wimbledon in 2022 and then the Australian, French and US Opens in 2023. He now has 24 Grand Slam trophies under his name.
Britain drawn to face Serbia in Davis Cup Final 8
Britain who topped Group B in the Davis Cup after their win over France on Sunday now face Serbia, as the draw for the Final 8 Knockout stage was announced on Tuesday.
Serbia finished second behind Czech Republic, but clinched their place in the Final 8 with a win over Spain.
Novak Djokovic beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina just five days after winning the US Open to help Serbia to a 3-0 win over Spain in Valencia.
Whoever comes out on top between Serbia and Britain will then face the winner of Italy v Netherlands in the semi-final. Reigning Davis Cup champions Canada will continue their title defence against Finland, who came through as runners-up in Group D after surprise wins over Croatia and the United States, while Canada topped their group ahead of Italy. The winner of Canada v Finland will take on either Czech Republic or Australia in the semi-final. Australia finished runners-up to Britain. The Final 8 takes place in Malaga, Spain, and begins on November 21.
Winner Group A v Runner-up Group D
Canada v Finland
Winner Group C v Runner-up Group B
Czech Republic v Australia
Runner-up Group A v Winner Group D
Italy v Netherlands
Runner-up Group C v Winner Group B
Serbia v Britain
