Unsure Nadal leaves possible closing date open

Rafael Nadal has admitted that he remains unsure about how long his storied career will continue – and the Spanish icon is making no predictions about his eventual sell-by date.

“This is a reality. There’s a good chance it will be my last year, without a doubt,” he 37-year-old said on social media.

“There’s a chance it’ll only be half a year, there’s a chance it’ll be a full year… these are things that right now I do not have the capacity to answer.”

The 22-time Grand Slam winner how is due for an injury comeback at the ATP Brisbane event starting on New Year’s Eve, laid out the current facts after not playing since an abdominal injury in Melbourne last January.

“I’m only in a position to say that I am competing again, that I still have what is normal in my head, or that there is a good chance that it will be my last year.

“I’m going to enjoy every tournament as if that were the case.”

Nadal said that he won’t be planning any kind of farewell tour once he does decide to put away the racquets.

“I don’t want to announce it because in the end one doesn’t know what can happen. (I don’t want to) say one thing and then be a slave to what (was said).”

But there is also room for optimism: “If suddenly my physique allows me to move forward and I enjoy what I do, what’s the point? Am I going to set a deadline?

“I do not deserve to end my sports career in a press room (announce a retirement).”

Main photo:- Rafa Nadal (ESP) attends a post match press conference Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd