Exclusive: 'His days are numbered' - Boris Becker on Rafael Nadal retirement plans after injury at Australian Open
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Updated 19/01/2023 at 11:11 GMT
Rafael Nadal had his 2023 Australian Open dreams crushed on Wednesday as he suffered a shock hip injury at a crucial point of his second-round encounter with American Mackenzie McDonald. Nadal suddenly pulled up in agony behind the baseline at a seemingly innocuous point and was unable to fully recover, even after painkillers. Eurosport's Boris Becker has evaluated his prospects looking ahead.
Wilander ponders who can stop Djokovic after Nadal's exit
Eurosport expert Boris Becker has suggested that Rafael Nadal's "days are numbered" in his tennis career after he bowed out nursing an injury in the second round of the Australian Open.
The Spaniard was trailing 6-4 5-3 when he suddenly pulled up with his injury. He immediately called on the trainer at the end of McDonald’s service game before leaving the court for a medical timeout. He eventually returned to the court and played out the second set, but the 36-year-old was ultimately not fit enough to force a fourth set. The world No. 65 came through to win the match in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 7-5.
It was a nightmare day for Nadal, who had been hoping to defend his title from last year at Melbourne Park and also extend his record tally of 22 Grand Slam singles titles at the first Grand Slam of the new season.
Becker has hailed Nadal as "one of the most important sportsmen of the last 25 years" but also made clear that he sees the Spaniard's early exit as "the first step towards his retirement".
"We've been talking about the change of generation for a long time, and then Nadal comes along last year and wins not only in Melbourne but also Paris," Becker said on Eurosport Germany's Matchball Becker show.
"The question was: Will he play until he's 40? I don't think so. Yesterday was already the first step towards his retirement.
"An injury like that is hard, and at this age, it takes even longer to get back into shape. I hope and pray that he will get well soon and that we will see him looking fresh again in Paris at the latest, but I think his days are numbered.
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Nadal's injury is a 'tough moment for tennis' - Henin
"He is not only a tennis legend, he is a sports legend. He is one of the most important sportsmen of the last 25 years. He has changed tennis and made it even more popular in his home country of Spain.
"He can become the president if he wants to. I think there would be a big gap if Rafa doesn't play anymore, but I think he will pick up a racquet again.
"The clay court season will be his priority. If he is fit, he is still my favourite for the French Open, but even Rafael Nadal gets older eventually."
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Corretja questions if Nadal's reaction was a final goodbye to Australia
Following the retirement of rival and friend Roger Federer last year, Becker said on Wednesday that he believes Nadal could follow sooner rather than later and questioned if he would even be at the Australian Open 12 months from now.
“We talked for a long time about the change of generations - we're watching it live right now," he said.
"Roger Federer is no longer playing and there are a lot of question marks behind Nadal now.
“I think he will want to play Paris again. But I don't know if he will take on Australia again. That's why we should celebrate him as long as we have him."
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