Conchita Martinez has backed her compatriot Rafael Nadal to have a very competitive 2024 season if he is fit upon return from injury.
The Spanish tennis great insisted that Nadal should never be discounted because “he always surprises us” and guessed whether the 22-time Slam champion would retire or not if he won another Roland Garros.
The Mallorcan has not competed since sustaining a hip injury in the R2 loss against Mackenzie McDonald at Melbourne Park in January. Nadal underwent a surgery on the injured hip muscles in June and has been forced to remain on the sidelines to the date.
The 37-year-old missed his beloved clay-court season while his most recent GS came at the 2022 Roland Garros where he defeated Casper Ruud to earn his 14th French Open title. He also clinched his second Australian Open title last year when he came back from behind (two sets down) to edge past Daniil Medvedev in a 5-set classic final.
In an interview with Claytenis, the 1994 Wimbledon Champion talked about the Nadal’s chances in what could be his farewell season on the tour.
“Well, he said it was going to be a farewell year in the tournaments he wants, and that’s the way it has to be. Whenever Rafa has had injuries he has always got up and come back stronger, he has won important tournaments. I think that’s going to be his goal,” assessed the former world No 2.
“But with injuries we can’t fight, I hope he recovers. He is in the best hands, especially with doctor [Angel Ruiz] Cotorro. I have no doubt that he is doing the right things, they are not going to take any risks. If he is fit, he will have a very competitive year.
“If he doesn’t feel that way, we’ll see, then he will focus on the tournaments that really matter to him, which will be Roland Garros and some previous ones. Hopefully he will come back stronger. We should never rule him out, he always surprises us.”
Martinez also did some guesswork on the possibility of her countryman calling it day if he wins a record-extending 15th Roland Garros title in the next season.
“It can be. I was sure he wouldn’t [keep playing] in 2022. Then he won and kept playing. The following year I see it more feasible than other years. I hadn’t thought about that (the Olympics), so he doesn’t retire if he wins Roland Garros (laughs),” added the 33-time WTA titlist.
“He is a player who loves to play for his country. He has always been committed, he is a champion several times with Spain in the Davis Cup, he won an Olympic gold and has played in many games. Maybe Paris 2024 is in his plans.”