Rafael Nadal leaves the door ajar for retirement speculations to circulate! Apparently, talks regarding the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s impending retirement are sparked by his cautious approach in the French Open. Amid all this, the biggest question is whether Roger Federer would return the favor that Nadal gave him at the Laver Cup.

When the 20-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis, he teamed up with his greatest opponent and buddy, Rafael Nadal, for his farewell match. Now, with the possibility looming that Nadal might retire this year too, there’s speculation about him playing his farewell match at Roland Garros. The 42-year-old Swiss tennis star is in Paris, but nothing official has been announced from his end as of yet.

As he is currently in Paris, he has been attending a lot of events, giving rise to speculation that he might be there to cheer up his friend at the French Open. Just a few days ago, the Swiss tennis star attended the opening of a new tennis court at a school in La Courneuve.

On the other hand, after inaugurating a tennis court as part of his brand collaboration with Uniqlo, he was also seen trolling down the streets of Paris and even attending a ballet practice as he clicked pictures with a group of dancers posing around him.

However, before that, do you know that it’s quite uncertain that the 2024 French Open will be the Spaniard’s last dance in Paris? In a pre-tournament press conference, he stated, “If I have to tell you it’s 100 percent my last Roland Garros, sorry but I will not, because I cannot predict what’s going on. I hope you understand.”

Looking at the way he is currently in Paris, there might be a possibility that he might come to witness the moment himself. But a few days ago, the 43-year-old tennis legend himself opened up about the possibility of not attending the French Open, stating the exact reason behind his decision to stay away from the event.

Roger Federer might keep his distance from this year’s French Open

A few days before, the former world number one made it apparent that he would not be attending Roland Garros aimlessly in a chat with Lequipe. He stated, “I would like to go back there like at Wimbledon last year, but for a good reason; otherwise, people will ask me, ‘What are you doing there?’”

Even though he might have no plans to attend the event, during his retirement, Nadal was suffering from injuries but then also came to support him in his last match. Things can turn in any direction possible. However, it will be interesting to see what comes next for Nadal at the French Open and whether Federer will grace the event for his dear friend.