Rafael Nadal: Mats Wilander not expecting retirement at French Open despite Alexander Zverev prediction

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 17/01/2023 at 17:20 GMT

Alexander Zverev has predicted that 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis after this year's French Open. Nadal, 36, has denied that he is planning to step away from the sport and Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has also said that he believes Nadal will continue fighting as long as he is healthy. Nadal is into the second round of the Australian Open.

Mats Wilander does not expect Rafael Nadal to retire after this year’s French Open, despite Alexander Zverev's prediction.

World No. 13 Zverev told Eurosport that his bold prediction for the year was that Nadal, 36, would hang up his racquet after the French Open.

Nadal has denied that is the case and says retirement is not on his mind right now as he looks to defend his Australian Open title.

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Eurosport expert Wilander thinks Nadal will continue to fight for the biggest titles as long as he can.

“I don’t think he will retire. If he’s healthy enough to go out there and give 100%, I mean he’s going to give 100% even if he’s not healthy, I think he’s going to keep fighting.

“I hope he does not retire while he’s at the top because I would like to see guys like Rafa Nadal out there on the court, fighting for his athletic life, not playing well, but still showing exactly what Andy Murray did today, because that to me, means everything.”

Murray was once alongside Nadal at the top of the men’s game but has dropped down the rankings in recent years after undergoing two hip surgeries.

But he showed his trademark fighting spirit to upset Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Australian Open.

Nadal has had injury issues of his own, although nothing as serious as Murray, and Eurosport expert Barbara Schett thinks it’s still unclear how much longer he will continue.

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“It’s not just this year or last year, it’s been going on for two or three years already, people are asking Rafa Nadal when he will retire because they think physically he’s not able to handle this," said Schett.

“I think Rafa Nadal doesn’t even know himself, one day he will wake up and he will know, today is the day.

“But how nice would it be if he was to win another title at the French Open and then say goodbye to the tennis world. That would be pretty cool.”

Asked about Zverev’s comments at the Australian Open, Nadal said: “I don't know what's going to happen in six months.

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“I have a very good relationship with Zverev, but not enough to confess something like that to him. The reality is that I'm here to play tennis, try to have a great 2023, fight for everything that I have struggled throughout my career and I don't think about my retirement.

“You think about it week after week because that's how you show me at every press conference. But I will answer the same every time you ask me.”

Nadal plays Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

He beat British No. 3 Jack Draper in his opening match in four sets.

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