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Rafael Nadal has admitted he still doesn’t know whether he will be back at Roland Garros after losing in the first round to Alexander Zverev.
The 37-year-old was dealt one of the toughest draws against the in-form Zverev, who entered the tournament having won the Italian Open.
Nadal had originally suggested that this year’s French Open would be his last before retirement, putting even more emphasis on his first-round match against Zverev.
But the 14-time French Open winner changed his tune during his pre-tournament press conference where he backtracked on his retirement plans.
Rafael Nadal isn’t sure whether he will be back at Roland Garros
REUTERS
Nadal was unable to pull off an unlikely win over Zverev as the German came through in straight sets.
Zverev showed his class after the match as he stopped his on-court interview short to let Nadal speak to the crowd.
But Nadal refused to confirm whether it was the final time he would be playing in the French Open.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be the last time that I’m going to be here in front of all you,” Nadal said.
“I am not 100 per cent sure.
“If it’s last time, I enjoy it. The crowd have been amazing through the whole week of preparation.
“The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words, but for me so special to feel the love of the people the way that I felt in the place that I love the most.”
He added: “It’s difficult to say what’s going on in the future.
“It’s a big percentage that I will not be back playing here in Roland Garros.
“But I can say that 100 per cent that I enjoy a lot playing here, I am travelling with the family and I am having fun.
“The body is feeling a little bit better than two months ago.
“Maybe in two months I say ‘it’s enough, I can’t give anything else’.
Rafael Nadal spoke to the crowd after his loss
REUTERS
“But this is something I don’t feel yet. I have some goals in front. I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics.
“That motivates me, that’s going to be another chance and I really hope to be well prepared.
“The amount of feelings that I had on this amazing court in my tennis career is just unbelievable.
“I could never imagine when I was a kid that I will be here at almost 38 years old with all the success that I had here winning so many times.
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Rafael Nadal wants to play at the Olympics in Paris
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“It has been a very beautiful process, all the memories every single year have been different but not less special than the other.
“What makes me feel so special is everything and all the people in Roland Garros behind the scenes that are helping me since the first time I came here have been unforgettable.
“The support of all my people there, family, team and friends. Everybody who helped me in some moment of my life.
“Last thing, all the people, the feelings you made me feel here are just unforgettable.
“Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart and I really hope to see you again but I don’t know.”
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