Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, has unequivocally stated that he does not miss professional tennis since his retirement in November 2024. He emphasized that he ended his career with a sense of peace, knowing he had given his all and his body could no longer compete at the desired level. Nadal, who was 38 at the time of his retirement and boasts 22 Grand Slam titles, explained that he enjoyed playing throughout his career, even amidst injuries and challenges, and his decision to stop was purely physical, not due to a loss of passion for the sport. He tried every possible avenue before concluding that his body would not respond as needed, leading him to close that chapter.
Despite not missing the competitive aspect, Nadal acknowledged that he still misses some of the unique emotions associated with playing at the highest level, feelings he anticipates are unlikely to be replicated in other areas of his life. He made these remarks during an interview with CNBC Sport, where he also discussed his new Netflix documentary "Rafa," which chronicles his final years in professional tennis.
Nadal also offered insights into his former rival Novak Djokovic's continued presence in the sport. He believes Djokovic, who turned 39 in May and was a runner-up at the 2026 Australian Open, continues to play because of his love for tennis and passion for competing. Nadal described Djokovic's achievements as "extraordinary" and noted that when athletes like them have won so much, their only reason to continue is their enjoyment of the competition and their belief in their ability to remain competitive. He speculated that Djokovic will continue playing as long as his motivation and body allow.
