Rafael Nadal said he would love to keep playing long enough for his son to remember him on court, though the 22-time Grand Slam champion concedes time is not on his side.
On Sunday, Rafael Nadal's extraordinary resilience was on full display as he closed out a marathon five-setter against World No 2 Daniil Medvedev.
'What a heart, what a mindset, what guts, what everything, what a REFERENCE you are! I'm at your feet!'
Local favourite Thompson saved three match points before prevailing 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 against Nadal, who was playing his first tournament after nearly a year out with a hip injury.
The ravages of two decades on tour mean Rafael Nadal has rarely been able to prepare for majors like other players, forcing him to rely on skills and mental fortitude.
Despite all the trials and tribulations he suffered in the build-up, no one could prevent Nadal from lifting the Musketeers' Cup for a record-extending 14th time.
Rafael Nadal said he still does not know when he will play tennis again as he works to complete his recovery from a recurring foot injury that cut short his 2021 season.
Nadal struggled with the problem in the build-up to the year's first Grand Slam
Novak Djokovic's erratic form, Rafael Nadal's fitness woes and untimely injuries to top-ranked youngsters have set up an uncertain French Open men's tournament
Nadal had said last week that daily training was a challenge and he would take a doctor with him to Paris
Nadal fought from two sets down to defeat Medvedev in a five-set thriller at Rod Laver Arena.
'We were the best team in Asia at one point. Today, we are barely in the reckoning for the Davis Cup.' 'Players now, especially this decade, lack perseverance.'
Nadal was the favourite and top seed having lifted the Barcelona Open trophy last month but played below par on a sweltering spring day.
Nadal to make injury return at Madrid Open
'A very special day for me with the unveiling of this statue @rolandgarros #muchasgracias #merci,' Rafa posted alonside a picture of the statue.
Nadal had said that he did not know if he would be fit to play against Australian Kyrgios, after appearing close to retiring mid-match against Fritz on Centre Court.
World number one Jannik Sinner defeated record-chasing Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in a clash of generations on Friday to set up a blockbuster French Open final showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal confirmed the rumours that he will be a father soon.
The 35-year-old said that the presence of his personal doctor to "do things that help" made sure he could play in Paris although he is unsure of what will come next.
A summary of the day's tennis action at Roland Garros.
Stars made their way to the Australian Open to cheer on Rafael Nadal.
Sitting courtside, Rafael Nadal cried as his great rival, Roger Federer, bid an emotional farewell to tennis at the Laver Cup on Friday, later saying an important part of him was also leaving the men's Tour with the retirement of the Swiss.
Nadal had arrived in Paris nursing a nagging foot injury and even brought a doctor with him to improve his chances
World number two Rafael Nadal will be sidelined for six to eight weeks by the hip flexor injury he suffered during his second-round loss at the Australian Open, the Spaniard's team said on Thursday.
Coco Gauff said she will never again make the mistake of doubting Rafael Nadal's chances at French Open
Rafael Nadal's absence from Indian Wells saw the 22-times Grand Slam champion slip out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005.
Rafael Nadal called Novak Djokovic's COVID-19 vaccination controversy in Australia "a circus" and joked that he would prefer that the world number one tennis player didn't play at the upcoming Australian Open.
Spaniard Rafael Nadal will team up with perennial rival Roger Federer for the third edition of the Laver Cup in Geneva next year.
Second seed Rafael Nadal said he would make no excuses after his shock loss to American Frances Tiafoe in the US Open fourth round Monday, despite a serious abdominal injury that derailed his run-up to the year's final major.
Nadal, whose 2022 season began in complete contrast as he went on a 20-match winning spree, said the early defeat ahead of the new season was not a disaster.
The 33-year-old 19-time Grand Slam champion, who met his wife through his younger sister Maribel, a childhood friend of Perello, tied the knot with the 31-year-old at a castle in the island of Mallorca.
Rafael Nadal will become the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles if he defeats the Russian in Melbourne.
Some of the most iconic moments of Roger Federer's glittering career featured Rafael Nadal across the net but on Friday his great Spanish rival will be alongside him for his final bow.
It was a battle of wills out on court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday, with the proceeding stretching to nearly 5 hours -- four hours and 50 minutes precisely.
Rafael Nadal continued his imperious run of form as he swept aside American Donald Young 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in the Wimbledon second round on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal smoothly negotiated the potential stumbling block presented by Frenchman Benoit Paire on Monday, launching his bid for a 10th French Open trophy with a largely routine 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 win.
'Heading to dinner with some friends,' Roger captioned a selfie clicked with fellow legends Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, with the London Bridge in the background.
Rafael Nadal dropped a set at Roland Garros for the first time in two years but roared back to beat 10th seed Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 on Wednesday and storm into the French Open semi-finals.
Rafael Nadal returns to the US Open for the first time in three years short of match practice and with big question marks about his fitness but few people will dismiss the Spaniard's chances of claiming a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title.
The world number five Spaniard has won 15 straight matches since returning from a foot issue that sidelined him for nearly six months last year.
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