14-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal‘s injury-enforced withdrawal from this year’s edition of the Stade Roland Garros showpiece came as a bitter pill to swallow for the tennis world. Nadal tried his best to recover from the hip injury he sustained during the Australian Open. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get back to his peak fitness levels in time. It still seems uncertain as to when the Spaniard will be back in action. However, his fans will certainly expect him to push for yet another French Open title in 2024.

In a recent interview, John McEnroe, the American legend of men’s tennis, shared what he thinks of Nadal’s chances in Paris next year. During the interview, McEnroe also surprisingly likened Nadal to an NBA legend.

John McEnroe doesn’t rule out another French Open title for Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal’s glittering French Open history began way back in 2005. However, no one in their wildest dreams would have predicted that Nadal’s 2005 French Open win would mark the first of an astonishing 14 titles. John McEnroe believes that Nadal may still very well be in the discussion for another title next year.

In an interview with Eurosport, McEnroe said, “I would never say that he couldn’t win at Roland-Garros”. McEnroe went on to say, “Anyone that’s done what he’s done, as long as he stepped foot on a court would have a great chance.”

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2024 might be Nadal’s last season on the ATP Tour. However, according to McEnroe, Nadal’s similarity to NBA legend LeBron James is likely to make him a favorite for every title he fights for next year. He added, “He reminds me a lot of LeBron James”.

Read More: 36-Year-Old Rafael Nadal’s Devastating Career Decision Shatters 2x French Open Finalist as He Reveals True Emotions – ‘I Feel..’

Despite James being 38 years old, McEnroe said “he proved he was still a fantastic player.”

Another tennis star echoed McEnroe’s sentiments in 2022

In early 2022, Italian tennis ace Matteo Berrettini revealed to Eurosport who he thought as tennis’ Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. According to Berrettini, Roger Federer reminded him of Jordan, while Novak Djokovic was a throwback to the genius of Kobe Bryant.

For Berrettini, Nadal was tennis’ very own LeBron James. The Italian cited the similarities between the two in terms of their physicality. Berrettini also cited how both James and Nadal started achieving amazing things from a very young age.

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