“Every new Rafael Nadal quote sounds more dire than last one”, “It’s what he wanted” – Fans react to Spaniard’s wish to play longer for son Rafa Jr.

Tennis fans on social media have reacted to Rafael Nadal's statement about wanting to actively play on tour for his one-year-old son Rafa Jr's memory.

Nadal, who turns 38 in June, is approaching the end of the road as a tennis professional. He is currently competing for the men's singles title at the 2024 Madrid Open.

He kicked things off in sublime fashion by handing Darwin Blanch a 6-1, 6-0 beating in the opening round on Thursday, April 25, as his son Rafa Jr. watched him from the stands.

In the post-match press conference, the Nadal rued the fact that Junior won't get enough opportunities to see his father play, saying:

"I would love to play a little bit longer and give him [Rafa Jr.] a memory of myself playing tennis. But I can’t, probably I will not be able to make that happen."

One tennis fan on Reddit felt the 22-time Grand Slam champion has only been looking at the downside of his retirement.

"Every new Nadal quote sounds more dire and pessimistic than the last one lol. What's he gonna say next 'I might not make it to 40,'?" the fan wrote.

Comment byu/colite91 from discussion intennis

Another fan, however, rubbished the first one's rhetoric, writing:

"I mean that’s not pessimistic. That’s realistic. For Baby Rafa to remember anything he’d have to play til at least 41 and I don’t see him playing past this year."

Comment byu/colite91 from discussion intennis

A third fan claimed that Nadal always wished to be there for his baby away from tennis.

"He said he didn’t want to juggle his career and a child. I can’t remember the quote exactly but he definitely said something along those lines. He always wanted or imagined himself as a stay at home dad. As sad as this quote is, it’s what he wanted (or thought he wanted before Rafa Jr arrived)," the fan wrote.

Comment byu/colite91 from discussion intennis

Here are a few more reactions:

"Kid doesn't have to see him win the French [Open], just seeing his dad doing something he loves is enough," a fan stated.

"This makes me sad," one fan commented.

"The end is near," another fan remarked.

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Rafael Nadal on injury break in 2023: "I was not able to enjoy a lot... But I have been able to enjoy the growth of my son"

Rafa Jr. with his mother Francisca Maria Perello and aunt Maribel

Rafael Nadal stayed away from on-court action for 11 months in the 2023 calendar year due to a left hip injury that required surgical correction.

He returned to the tour in the first week of the current season and registered a run to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International. In an interview with the ATP during the Brisbane event, he looked back on the hiatus, saying:

"It's been tough. I was not able to do the things that I wanted to do. I was not able to play tennis. I was not able to enjoy a lot... But at the same time, I have been able to be at home and enjoy the growth of my son."

Nadal then skipped multiple events before traveling to the Barcelona Open, where he lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round. He is currently at the 2024 Madrid Open, gearing up for a rematch with De Minaur at the same stage.