Rafael Nadal is far from retiring and could play four more years, according to former world No. 1 Manolo Santana.
Santana, a four-time Grand Slam winner from Spain, believes his compatriot Nadal is not done with tennis yet despite recent concerns over the King of Clay's ability to win tournaments. However, the 78-year-old admitted it would be difficult for Rafa to win as time ticks for the 14-time Grand Slam winner.
"Unfortunately Rafa turned 30, I think he can win again but it will be even more difficult for him. He's willing to win and I think we are going to see him for another four years," Santana told Spanish media outlet AS as translated by Tennis World USA.
Talks about Nadal's retirement after succumbing to lengthy losing slump were put to rest after the 30-year-old Spaniard earned back-to-back titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona during this year's European clay-season circuit. But after suffering a left wrist injury that forced him to pull out of the French Open and skip Wimbledon, rumors of Nadal calling it quits seem to start anew.
Any of those speculations must have been shut down again with Nadal's confirmed participation at the Rogers Cup next month and the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, it still remains to be seen whether fans get to see Nadal picking up where he left or restarting his quest to find his vintage form.
In his first interview after a disappointing exit at Roland Garros, Nadal guaranteed he will take part at the Olympic Games, where he gets to be the Spain's flag-bearer. But there is not much optimism for fans as with Nadal uncertain of his tennis form when he starts competing at the quadrennial sporting event.
"I will be there and that's the most important thing, but I do not know how my level of tennis would be. The wrist is better, it was an unfortunate injury because things were going well and I was enjoying the competition, which I could not do in 2015," Nadal said in an event in Madrid.
There is no assurance when will Nadal hang up his tennis racket and savor his legacy as one of the best tennis players to surface in the Open Era. But for now, it is almost certain people get to see Nadal play for a couple more years.