‘Close to it’: Rafael Nadal reveals shock retirement call

Rafael Nadal has won both Grand Slams this season but the Spanish legend detailed just how close he was to giving it all away.

Rafael Nadal was close to giving it all away. Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP

Rafael Nadal overcame another mid-match lapse to defeat Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis in four sets and reach the Wimbledon third round for the 11th time on Thursday.

Two-time champion Nadal triumphed 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to see off the 106th-ranked opponent.

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But the 36-year-old champion has revealed just how close he came to ending his career as injuries continue to ravage his body.

Nadal’s participation at Wimbledon was up in the air until late after needing injections to claim his 14th French Open title.

He also revealed that he and his wife were expecting their first child together.

But while the 22-time Grand Slam champion is at Wimbledon, he revealed after his second round match that he was set to call it quits after his emotional victory at Roland Garros.

“My philosophy is couple of weeks ago I was close to it (retirement),” Nadal told a press conference. “Now I don’t feel that way (smiling). That’s my philosophy.

“It’s something that I am not … I never had fear about that day. I think I am happy that I had a very happy life outside of tennis, even if tennis is a very important part of my life for the last 30 years.

“I have been happy outside of tennis, without a doubt. I have a lot of things that I like to do away from tennis, so I am not worried about that. But, of course, when that day arrives, going to be a change. All the changes in this life takes a while. You need to adapt to the changes.

“But it’s normal that the people talks about retirement of the great athletes because in some way the athletes that have been for such a long time in the top of the game, even more in more popular sports, become part of the life of so many people. Happens to me the same with some football players, with golf players.

“I mean, for example, a person that I love to see, Tiger Woods playing. Now I’m not able to see Tiger Woods playing that often. In some way, that’s a change in my life, too.

”Probably people will think the same like me, as a fan, when Roger (Federer) is not playing, when Novak (Djokovic) is not playing, when I am not playing, or when any football or basketball or any sport are not playing, because they become part of the daily life of the people because they are an inspiration.”

What a champion. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Enjoy it while it lasts. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The Spaniard, who is bidding to add the Wimbledon title to his Australian and French Open victories, will tackle Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego for a place in the last 16.

“Every day is a challenge,” said Nadal, who is playing Wimbledon for the first time since making the semi-finals in 2019.

“Every day is a chance to improve and I need to improve.

“The fourth set was a better level. I was able to be more aggressive with my forehand. It’s important to accept that things are not perfect. I need to keep working.” The 36-year-old was in control against Berankis until he dropped the third set, just as he did in his opener against Francisco Cerundolo.

However, he steadied the ship, racing into a 3-0 lead in the fourth set before play was held up for the Centre Court roof to close.

When the match resumed, he swept to victory, finishing with a flourish by hitting his 13th ace.