Rafael Nadal Makes A Scene!

JAKARTA - Petenis gaek from Spain, Rafael Nadal, gave a statement that made fans excited about his future. He admits that he wants to retire in 2024.

Nadal expressed his intention when announcing his resignation from the French Open, Thursday, May 18, local time. He resigned because his hip injury had not fully healed.

"This is not a decision I make, this is a decision taken by my body," said the 36-year-old tennis player who plays on the clay field every year since 2005 and won it 14 times, as reported by AFP via Antara, Friday, May 19.

Nadal claims to have taken a few months off, without training, meaning he will also definitely miss Wimbledon and most likely US Open, before starting playing again.

He said next year it would close a career that has so far generated 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

"This may be my last year on a professional tour, I can't say this is 100 percent because you never know what will happen," Nadal said.

"The injury I suffered in Australia has not healed as we expected. Roland Garros is impossible. I will not be there after all these years, with all that (tournament) means to me," he continued.

Nadal said he would not set a date to return, but said the Davis Cup in November could be a potential target.

The Spaniard said it was important to stay away from the game to come back next year and say goodbye by playing on his favorite show.

"If I keep playing at this moment, I don't think I'll be able to do it next year," Nadal said. "My idea and motivation is to try to enjoy and try to say goodbye to all the tournaments that matter to me."

Nadal hopes that with total rest, his body can recover. "I will stop, I will not train, it has been months of frustration - there is a time when someone has to brake," he explained.

"It's time to see if this body can regenerate itself over the past few months."

Nadal said he will oversee this year's French Open and have a philosophy about not being able to defend his title in the tournament he is good at.

"Roland Garros will always be Roland Garros, with or without me, this will remain the best event," Nadal said.

"There will be the champion Roland Garros and it's not me, and that's life."

French Open organizers in a tweet on Twitter said, "We can't imagine how difficult this decision will be. Hoping to meet you next year in Paris."