Rafael Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion, is under increasing pressure to consider retirement following a lackluster performance at the Paris Olympics. Partnering with Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles event, the pair, dubbed “Nadalcaraz,” failed to make a significant impact, losing in the quarter-finals to the American duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who went on to win the silver medal.

Nadal’s Olympic singles campaign also ended in disappointment, with a second-round exit at the hands of his longtime rival Novak Djokovic. This string of defeats has sparked widespread speculation about whether the 38-year-old should hang up his racket for good.

A recent poll conducted by Express Sport revealed that 74 percent of readers believe the time has come for Nadal to retire, especially after his decision to withdraw from the upcoming US Open. Nadal’s announcement on social media indicated that he would not be competing in the tournament, citing concerns over his ability to perform at his best.

Despite the mounting calls for retirement, Nadal remains defiant. When asked about his future, he responded with frustration, stating, “You want me to retire every day, guys. You ask me for that. I am trying to do my best. I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be or not going to be my last match.”

Although Nadal has committed to participating in the Laver Cup in Berlin later this year, many feel that his days as a competitive player are numbered. The Laver Cup, scheduled to begin on September 20th, will see Nadal join forces with fellow European stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, in what could be one of his final appearances on the professional tennis stage.

As Nadal’s illustrious career appears to be drawing to a close, the tennis world watches closely, pondering whether this iconic athlete will decide to retire on his terms or continue to defy the odds.