‘The End Is Near’ – 36-Year-Old Rafael Nadal Given Retirement Verdict With a Glimmer of French Open Hope by Casper Ruud

This generation was lucky enough to witness the magic of Messi’s dribble; the awe-inspiring free kicks of Ronaldo; the dazzle of Michael Jordan and, along with such iconic moments, the reign of terror on the French courts by

Rafael Nadal. No matter who the opponent was. No matter from which corner of the globe they were from, Nadal, like an impervious wall, would keep standing on the clay courts. With the background music of his loud grunts, he would ensure that his opponent’s hopes were dead on the red dirt. If it used to be a final play on the French clay; a Nadal day, for sure, it had to be.

It was heartbreaking for everybody that the 14 times Roland Garros winner is not going to participate in 2023. He suffered an injury in the

Australian Open. What made the scenario even worse was the idea that he may never again play in Roland Garros. Given that Nadal is likely to retire in 2024, everyone felt that it is going to be no more Nadal on the French courts ever again. But there was someone to spark a glimmer of hope that French courts may see Nadal again. And that not just would he participate, but may well win for the fifteenth time. It was none other than someone who came through the ranks at the King of Clay’s academy: the 2022 French Open finalist, Casper Ruud.

No, it may not be the end of the Rafael Nadal era!

During an interview with Eurosport, the Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud expressed his confidence that we may see his idol play once again on the hallowed clay courts of Paris. That we may see the glimpse of that bygone Nadal era in France.

He said, “

But I think we will see Rafa again at Roland-Garros. I know him well enough to know that he never gives up – and as he said himself, I think he wants and I think he hopes for a better finish to his career. I mean, it’s inevitable that the end is near. But I believe that we will see Rafa at least one more time in Roland-Garros, feeling ready and fit to top the goal of winning the tournament. He never gives up.”

Casper mentioned that it was strange that the Spaniard was not participating. And that it would be so different when Federer, Nadal and Djokovic would participate—the clash of the titans.

Alchemy, gold and the return of Nadal

The biggest news about the French Open earlier used to be that ‘Rafael Nadal is participating’. The biggest news about the French Open now is that ‘Rafael Nadal is not participating’. Ruud revealed that he contacted the Spanish star recently, but Nadal didn’t give a time frame as to when he would return. Maybe we should all wait for him to achieve full fitness to play one wonderful year of tennis.

Read More: Rafael Nadal’s Rituals: The Mechanism Behind the Rhythm

While everyone would be jubilant that he may participate again, Casper’s words may heal a lot of heartbreaks. People in the past searched for ways to turn clay into gold. But Casper’s words are a bit like that alchemy. That may turn the French clay into a golden dream for Nadal fans. The one that brings hope and joy.

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