End of career? Federer's tip to Nadal: "Make a decision at some point"

How much longer will Rafael Nadal play tennis? Even Roger Federer can't answer this question. Nevertheless, the Swiss has one wish.

Tennis legend Roger Federer advises his good friend and former permanent rival Rafael Nadal not to delay the end of his career forever. "Time wears on you. In the end, it might also be helpful to make a decision at some point. And once it's over, you can just relax again and say: Oh, luckily no more training, luckily no more matches," the 43-year-old told the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the Laver Cup in Berlin, which he co-initiated.

Two years ago, Federer ended his successful career alongside Nadal in the team competition based on the Ryder Cup in golf. Now the 38-year-old Mallorcan, who had withdrawn from the event in Berlin, is also calling time on his career. It is not known whether another injury is the reason for his absence in the German capital. "I was so hoping that he would somehow get a match in at the end, but he just said he'd rather not do it and can't and doesn't feel ready," reported Federer.

Federer's wish

The former world number one is looking forward to Nadal's next weeks and months with great curiosity. "But he sounds good. I think he just has to decide now what to do next and I think that's the time he's going through at the moment," said the 20-time Grand Slam winner, ennobling Nadal as a tennis legend: "He's done everything for the sport. It would be phenomenal if he could go on for another season, but only Rafa himself can answer that".

Nadal made his last appearance on the Grand Slam stage in his living room at Roland Garros when he lost to German tennis star Alexander Zverev in three sets in the first round of the French Open in Paris at the end of May. At the Olympic Games, the Spaniard lost in the second round of the singles to his perennial rival and eventual winner Novak Djokovic.

dpa