Rafael Nadal retired from tennis in November following an extraordinary career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at the French Open. And he hasn’t been tempted to pick up a racquet since, as he told a special tribute organised by the Spanish Olympic Committee. Nadal also won two Olympic gold medals in his glittering career that came to an end last year.
Rafael Nadal has admitted that he has not picked up a racquet since retiring from tennis three months ago.
The 38-year-old played his final professional match at the Davis Cup in November, following an extraordinary career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles.
And he hasn’t been tempted to have another game yet, as he revealed during a tribute organised by the Spanish Olympic Committee.
“I have done less sport than I would like, but I have played football again,” Nadal said. “What I haven’t done is pick up a racquet again.
“It is very important to have objectives in life so as not to get bored. For me, the big satisfaction above everything else is to be able to retire in peace.”
It was an emotional occasion at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last year as Nadal said goodbye to the sport he had graced so magnificently for more than two decades.
Nadal also won two Olympic golds in his glittering career, claiming the men’s singles title at the Beijing Games in 2008 and winning the men’s doubles with Marc Lopez at the 2016 Games in Rio. He was Spain’s flag bearer at the Rio opening ceremony.
“I am very grateful to everyone. Sincerely, I have felt the love of the people during these years. The gratitude is infinite,” Nadal added.
“The biggest success for me was the satisfaction to achieve what I did.”
Nadal won an incredible 14 French Open titles at Roland Garros.
He also picked up four US Open titles and was twice a champion at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.