“Rafa is a good guy, he’s had a great career. Overall he can do what he wants to do, he’s been one of the most iconic tennis players we’ve ever had in our sport and that’s what I told him. So I just hope he can go out on his own terms and the way he wants to go out, but he’s a good guy, he’s had a great career.”

Reflecting on Rafael Nadal’s potential retirement, his friend and rival Roger Federer expressed his confidence in Rafa’s decision, during an interview with Today. Roger and Rafa have long had a very strong bond. A bond that has endured over time. As the Spaniard nears the end of his career (although there is no official announcement yet), the former Swiss champion has consistently shown support for his historic rival and friend.

“I actually spoke to him just last week. He wanted to ask me something, we had a chat and I felt a little sorry for him. That his summer didn’t go as planned and as he hoped because at the French Open he had a tough draw against Alexander Zverev. And then also at the Olympics, he had a tough draw, with the second round against Novak Djokovic. At the Olympics he was hoping to get a medal, especially in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz,” said Roger.

The Spaniard, who missed the US Open in New York but will instead play the Laver Cup from September 20 to 22, has not yet officially announced a date for his retirement.

“It’s up to him to decide how he wants to do it. I don’t have any information about it and I hope that, in fact, he will play much longer than we think. But it’s his body, as he says in all honesty,” said the Swiss Maestro.