Are Rafael Nadal's days in tennis numbered after his Olympic exit?

Rafael Nadal was eliminated from both the men's doubles and singles events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, potentially marking the end of his two-decade Olympic career. Could these be Rafa's final Olympic Games?

Nadal fell short in the Olympic singles, losing to Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-4. Nadal visibly struggled to keep pace with the Serbian's tempo.

This is a rivalry that has gone full circle, from the tallest peaks to the lowest canyons, displaying an epic matchup since 2006.

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The veteran Spaniard also fell short in doubles alongside his partner Carlos Alcaraz against Team USA. Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram were superior during the quarterfinals in every aspect of the game, finishing 6-2, 6-4.

"It's a national tragedy," according to the Spanish publication Marca, who like many, saw the two Spaniards going on to the next round. 'Nadalcaraz' was picking up momentum!

Tennis lovers hoped to see the Spanish duo go up against Andy Murray and Dan Evans (Team GB) in the final!

"The 38-year-old Nadal has not announced anything about his plans or possible retirement, but given his age and recent history of injuries, an appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics seems far-fetched," according to Daily Mail.

The Spaniard won gold medals in singles at Bejing 2008 and in doubles at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, underlining his lasting legacy in the game.

Nadal has battled recurring injuries since 2003, yet his fighting spirit always brought him back to the court. In the 2023 season, a severe hip injury sidelined him for 6-8 weeks. Shortly after returning, he faced a thigh injury the following year. He was eliminated by Jordan Thompson at the Australian Open due to a 'micro muscle tear,' as confirmed by Nadal himself on X (formerly Twitter).

The Roland-Garros legend might be playing his final matches, but he continues to cherish the iconic moments he has created in tennis. "Every moment I played on this court has been special in its own way," he shared during a courtside interview. Could this be Rafa's last dance?

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