Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has advised his good friend and arch-rival Rafael Nadal not to delay his retirement from the sport for too long.
“In the end, it might be useful for him to make a decision at some point. And once it’s over, he might just relax,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion told dpa ahead of the start of this weekend’s Laver Cup in Berlin , broadcasts BTA.
Federer ended his career at the Laver Cup in 2022.
Nadal was expected to play in this year’s Berlin tournament but announced last week that he was pulling out. He was replaced by Grigor Dimitrov.
For the 22-time Grand Slam champion, 2024 is likely to be his last year in tennis, having already hinted at plans to retire this season. The 38-year-old Spaniard has been repeatedly plagued by injuries over the past few years.
“I was really hoping Rafa would play here but he said he’d rather not because he doesn’t feel ready. But he looks good at the moment. I think he just has to decide what to do next and I think that’s what he’s going through right now. He’s done everything for the sport. It would be phenomenal if he could last another season, but only Rafa himself can answer that,” added the Swiss.