Rafael Nadal cautioned about potential damage to reputation if he agrees to lucrative farewell match in Saudi Arabia.
Rafael Nadal’s retirement date and final tournament choice remain a mystery, but a tennis reporter is advising against accepting a lucrative offer to host his farewell event in Saudi Arabia. The tennis legend announced last year that the 2024 season would likely be his last as a professional, but he has yet to reveal the details of his final event. Initially, it was speculated that the French Open would serve as his grand finale, given his impressive 14-time championship record in Paris. However, that opportunity has already passed. Another possibility was the Paris Olympics at Roland Garros, but Nadal has confirmed his plans to participate in the Laver Cup in Berlin this September.
Following his loss at the Paris 2024 tournament, Nadal expressed frustration with journalists constantly questioning his retirement plans, stating that he cannot live with the constant uncertainty surrounding his last match. Despite the speculation from fans, former players, analysts, and journalists, with some suggesting the Laver Cup as his final tournament, French journalist Benoît Maylin believes that neither the Laver Cup nor an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia should serve as his grand sendoff. Maylin argues that the symbolism would have been stronger if Nadal had chosen Roland Garros or the Olympics, but he declined those options. He questions whether the Laver Cup, like Federer’s retirement, is motivated by financial gain, with the potential for a lucrative exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Maylin believes that any event of that nature would tarnish the image of a champion known for his ethical values. Instead, he suggests that the Davis Cup Finals, to be held in Malaga, Spain, would be a fitting and beautiful farewell for the tennis legend. Maylin proposes that Nadal concludes his career in Spain, defending his country’s colors in the Davis Cup alongside rising star Carlos Alcaraz. However, Spain still needs to qualify for the knockout stage of the Davis Cup Finals, facing tough competition from Australia, the Czech Republic, and France in the group stage in September. Last year, Spain failed to advance to the knockout phase, finishing third in Group C behind the Czech Republic and Serbia.
