Former doubles World No. 1 Paul McNamee thinks Rafael Nadal’s retirement is undeniable if he does not win the 2024 Roland Garros.
According to the former world No. 24 singles player, Nadal will keep playing the sport if he realizes a chance to equal Novak Djokovic’s 24 majors.
Nadal pulled out on the opening day of the ongoing 2024 Indian Wells Open ahead of his scheduled R1 clash against Canadian old foe Milos Raonic.
In a statement announcing his absence, the 37-year-old said: “It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament.
“Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here at Indian Wells. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready.
“I have been working hard and practicing and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event.
“It is not an easy decision, it’s a tough one as a matter of fact but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans. I will miss you all and I am sure the tournament will be a great success.”
The Mallorcan trails his Serbian rival Djokovic 24 GS titles by two with his 22 titles. The former won his most recent Grand Slam title at the 2022 Roland Garros which was his 14th title on Parisian clay.
In a post, on X/twitter, McNamee argued the prospect of levelling Djokovic’s major trophy haul is pushing the former World No. 1 to continue, but he feels the Spaniard could settle for 22 if he misses out at French Open.
“Let’s call it as it is. Rafa continues while he believes he can still win more Roland Garros’s, & why not? If he does, he’ll keep playing,” the 5-time GS champion in men’s and mixed double events tweeted.
“For me he won’t quit while he has a chance to equal Djokovic on 24. If he doesn’t win RG24, the end of a magnificent career becomes imminent.”
The Australian added in another tweet: “In any event I think Wimbledon and the Olympics are in play, as within only two months of RG (Roland Garros).”
Nadal has not played a competitive match since picking a hip injury in his quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane in January. He participated in Netflix Slam exhibition in Las Vegas on March 3 where he faced countryman Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal earlier made is comeback in Brisbane after almost a year out of action waiting for the recovery of psoas muscle injury at the 2023 Australian Open for which underwent an arthroscopic surgery in June last year. His latest setback forced him to withdraw from the 2024 Australian Open and subsequent hardcourt events in Qatar and Indian Wells.