However whereas he may miss the sport he has loved record-breaking success in, he could also be glad to see the again of press conferences.
The Spaniard has gained 22 grand slams, together with an unimaginable 14 French Open titles, and is about to retire as one of many best singles gamers within the males’s sport.
However with tons of of video games performed means he has been requested many, many questions by the world’s media – and has not at all times been within the temper to humour a reporter’s nonsense.
Listed here are a few of Nadal’s best hits, off the court docket and within the press room.
“I believe it’s a joke”
Nadal has usually had a great relationship with the press – however often frosty questions have led him to hit again or, on this case, lowered him to laughter.
On the US Open in 2022, a reporter requested if umpires weren’t implementing a rule which means he has to serve inside 25 seconds and if this was a “stain on his legacy”.
“I believe it’s a joke,” a laughing Nadal replied. “I’ve by no means smashed rackets or made a multitude on court docket, however I’ve an issue that I’m sweating lots and when it’s a timed factor… we don’t have the ball boys coming to you so you need to go to the far finish of the court docket to get a towel.”
“Not fascinating immediately”
Nadal was in a extra playful temper on the Australian Open in 2019 when he ribbed a journalist who had apparently rested her eyes earlier than answering a query.
“I do know you closed your eyes to be extra centered on what I used to be saying,” Nadal instructed the snoozing reporter.
“It’s not fascinating immediately,” he added.
“Actually, are you asking me this?”
Nadal was irate that he was requested if he was dropping focus on tennis as a result of he had just lately received married.
“Actually, are you asking me this?” he shot again, including he had been with the identical companion for a few years. “I’m shocked you might be asking this after being with the identical woman 15 years.”
“We are able to’t predict the long run”
At Wimbledon in 2019, Nadal was requested if his sport – a simple victory – ought to have had lesser billing than that of ladies’s world primary, Ash Barty.
Nadal had been given the Centre Court docket and Barty had been knocked out on a lesser court docket.
“She is the world primary,” the journalist probed.
“I’m the world quantity two and I’ve gained 18 grand slams,” stated Nadal in return. “We can not predict the long run… they decide, my feeling is that I’m a bit of greater than Ashley Barty. On the finish of the day they should decide, each choices are good.”
“I don’t wish to seem like I wish to be his boyfriend”
Nadal had a curt and reducing reply when a reporter dared to ask what he appreciated most about Roger Federer as a participant and “as a person off the court docket”.
“I don’t wish to seem like I wish to be his boyfriend,” responded Nadal because the US Open press room descended into laughter in 2017.
Graciously, Nadal did then record his favorite qualities of Federer, his very long time rival.
