Tennis legend John McEnroe has made his prediction as to when 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will hold up his racquet forward of this week’s Australian Open.
It comes after world No. 13 Alexander Zverev additionally instructed that the Spaniard would retire after this yr’s French Open, famously his most profitable Slam, having received it a staggering 14 occasions.
“I don’t want it to happen, but I think he will have a great tournament, potentially win it and say goodbye”, stated Zverev in a 2023 predictions video for Eurosport.
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However, McEnroe believes it’s “tough to write Rafa off at any point, given that he did so well last year.
“I continue to be amazed by him.
“It’s amazing how much hunger he has still, with all the success that he’s had.
“Obviously, at 36, your body can only take so much; at some point it is going to give out.
“How much longer can he do this at this level?”
“As soon as he, I think, feels like he can’t win majors, he’s going to stop.”
The Spaniard has dismissed any discuss of retirement, nonetheless, denying he has calling it quits in any respect.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in six months,” Nadal stated.
“I have a very good relationship with Zverev, but not enough to confess something like that to him.”
After fellow legend Roger Federer’s retirement from the game final yr alongside Serena Williams and Ash Barty, Nadal’s future is on the centre of serious consideration within the sport, as one of many final remaining greats from the golden period of 2000s males’s tennis.
Asked whether or not the rising era might match the lofty heights of that period, he stated there was “no doubt about the potential” within the recreation’s latest stars, however urged followers to retain “perspective” on the dimensions of the achievements of his period.
“They are super good – but Carlos (Alcaraz) has one grand slam and the others have zero yet,” Nadal informed reporters on Saturday.
“So if we start talking about achieving 22 grand slams, or 21, 20, it’s a big deal.
“Will not be easy for it to happen two generations in a row.
“To put pressure on their shoulders to achieve these kinds of numbers – I don’t think it’s fair.”
Nadal begins his title defence in opposition to Britain’s Jack Draper right this moment on Rod Laver Arena.
