Rafael Nadal may be in the final stretch of his professional tennis career. With 22 Grand Slam titles and 209 weeks as the world’s top player, he’s had an enviable journey. However, injuries have plagued him throughout his time on the ATP Tour, and although he has recently recovered from a hip injury, he may still be a long way from full fitness. As he turns 38 in June, Nadal could very well decide to retire in the coming months.
Nadal, one of the greatest players of all time, deserves a grand retirement ceremony like those of fellow tennis legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams. While Federer’s farewell at the Laver Cup was emotional, he had stopped playing well before that event and, similarly, Serena bid farewell at the US Open in 2022.
Known for his resolute and tough playing style, Nadal’s final match should take place in a competitive environment. Ideally, that match should be at a Grand Slam event. Although no such event takes place in his native Spain, he could choose to retire at the Roland Garros where he’s won the French Open 14 times.
Nadal’s record at Roland Garros is unmatched, with a 112-3 win-loss record on the red clay courts in Paris. While he could opt to retire at the Madrid Open, it’s worth noting that he’s only won that tournament five times. The ideal location for his retirement in Spain would have been the Barcelona Open, where he’s won 12 times and even has a center court named after him. However, since he didn’t retire there, the French Open seems like the most fitting venue to celebrate Nadal’s legendary career.
