Rafael Nadal’s latest injury setback ahead of the Australian Open means he will miss his fourth major event in a row when the action takes place down under. The reality is that the culmination of a legendary career may not be too far in the distant future.
Roland Garros will be Nadal’s greatest chance of late-career success
With injuries mounting up in recent years, there are certainly telling signs that 2024 could be Nadal’s final year as a professional tennis player. But if everything goes to plan he will at least return to the major fold in time for the French Open in May.
Nadal is seen as one of the favorites to win at Roland Garros in the latest tennis odds from Paddy Power at +333. The French leg of the major calendar could provide the perfect platform for the Spaniard to get one over long-term rival Novak Djokovic one final time.
Injuries have stolen the sport of a true head-to-head battle between the duo to be the leading major title holder over the past 12 months. The Serbian could go into the French Open with a 25-22 major event lead over Nadal, as he is a -110 favorite in Australian Open 2024 betting to secure his 25th title.
Djokovic has already won two of the last three events that Nadal has missed, and he could extend his major record before the pair potentially face again in France.
It is certainly not realistic that the Spanish icon will put up a fight to level Djokovic’s major titles tally this year, although history would suggest he can at least slow his rival down with a victory in France.
Nadal is by far the record champion at Roland Garros with 14 titles to his name, and that venue will present the greatest chance of another huge success before his career comes to an end.
Nadal’s participation at Wimbledon is uncertain
Nadal typically performs at his best on clay courts so he may well take a break when the season ends ahead of Wimbledon. The Spaniard sat out of two of the last three events and it would not be a huge surprise if he doesn’t enter again this year.
The legendary Spanish player has also not won on English soil since 2010, meaning in his current injury-hampered state he would face a massive uphill challenge to potentially win at the summer event. He would be facing the peak versions of the likes of Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev who will undoubtedly be the frontrunners.
It would arguably be best if Nadal focuses on his fitness, rather than take risks for a longshot chance at Wimbledon glory ahead of the US Open in September.
The US Open could represent Nadal’s grand farewell
The US Open this year could represent Nadal’s final participation at a grand slam event. Tennis could be set to bid farewell to one of its greatest ever players, and surely even his biggest rivals will hope he is fit to potentially face them one more time.
The Spaniard has already won in the United States’ biggest tennis event on four occasions, and it would be fitting if he could secure a landmark fifth on his final outing at the professional level. He is offered at +1200 to win the title suggesting the perfect ending to his grand slam career is certainly a realistic outcome.
2024 will likely be Nadal’s final year in tennis, and he is set to fight for titles right until the very end. The story is certainly not finished yet for the remarkable career of Rafael Nadal.