Toni Nadal has revealed that it was a tough decision for his nephew Rafael to call time on his career. Nadal’s career was plagued by a plethora of injuries but he always made an inspiring comeback despite many setbacks.

However, in the last couple of years, Nadal was troubled with a hip injury and could not return to his best despite trying his best on a lot of occasions. The veteran Spaniard finally decided to hang his boots and the Davis Cup finals will be his swansong.

Toni said in an interview with Flashcore, “People always tend to blame others for what they themselves don’t do. Rafael had a hard time retiring because, for anyone, stopping an activity that you love and have been doing for many years is difficult. Then, my nephew experienced another reality: for years he lived with problems, with injuries that he managed to overcome. This time, he didn’t manage it. When he realized that it was impossible to get over it, he retired. But before that, he would have liked to continue, of course.”

On the other hand, Roger Federer, who shared an epic rivalry with Rafael Nadal, said the Spaniard didn’t have the 2024 season he was expecting and thus decided to retire.

During an interview with TODAY, Roger Federer stated, “I actually just spoke to him this last week. He wanted to ask me something, and we had a chat, and, um, I felt a little bit sorry for him. That his summer didn’t go as well as planned because, at the French Open he had a tough draw. Olympics, he had a tough draw as well. He was hoping, I think, to make a medal. Of course, it was Alcaraz in the doubles. I think also to make a medal. But you know, overall he can do whatever he wants….he’s been one of the most iconic tennis players we have ever had in our sport.”

Nadal will look to end his career on a high at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga.