Andre Agassi’s former coach Brad Gilbert has urged the media to stop throwing questions about retirement at Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard has made it clear he still wants to play tennis. On Saturday, Nadal kicked off his 2023 season at the United Cup.
In his first match of the year, 36-year-old Nadal suffered a surprise loss as Cameron Norrie beat the Spaniard 3-6 6-3 6-4. After the match was over, Nadal was immediately asked about retirement. Gilbert, who famously worked with Agassi for nearly a decade, urged tennis fans and media to appreciate Nadal’s greatness instead of just focusing on his retirement date.
“Unfortunately even after @RafaelNadal tells u stop asking about my retirement, will come up again in Melbourne, memo appreciate his greatness and humbleness he will let you know when time comes,” Gilbert wrote on Twitter.
unfortunately even after @RafaelNadal tells u stop 🛑 asking about my retirement, will come up again in Melbourne,memo appreciate his greatness and humbleness he will let you know when time comes 😎👍🙏👊💪 https://t.co/3LGjTkfz4t — Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) December 31, 2022
What Nadal said after the Norrie defeat
Nadal answered with a smile on his face but it is pretty clear that he has had enough of retirement questions.
“I lost my match. That’s it, no? Every time I come to a press conference it seems that I have to retire. So you are very interested on my retirement. I mean, that, for the moment, isn’t the case. When the day arrives, I’m going to let you know, guys.
Don’t keep going (on) with the retirement, because I’m here to keep playing tennis,” Nadal told reporters following his defeat to Norrie. Also, Nadal didn’t want to be negative or pessimistic after losing his first match of the year.
Nadal admitted that there are things he can improve as he is hoping to do better in his next matches. “Well, was not a disaster at all. I can do things, of course, better, and I need to do it,” Nadal said. In his next match, Nadal plays against Alex de Minaur.
