Rafael Nadal struck back at more retirement questions at the Olympics (Image: Getty)

Rafael Nadal hit back at retirement questions immediately after losing to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics. The long-time rivals faced off for the 60th time in the second round of the Paris 2024 games.

But the Spaniard was no match for the top seed, losing out 6-1 6-4 in what many believe could be the last singles match of his career.

After stepping off the court, Nadal voiced his aggravation after being probed over the end of his career again and indicated what would eventually make him hang it up.

Asked if he had any thoughts in his mind about whether he had just walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier for the final time, Nadal quipped: “Every day, huh? Every day, you want me to retire, men. You ask me for that every single day.”

While the 22-time Grand Slam champion couldn’t give a solid answer on his career expiration date, he shed light on when he would consider quitting. He continued: “I am trying to do my best every single day. I answer but I cannot live every single day with the notion that it’s going to be or not going to be my last match.

“I come here, I try my best, I play and when I decide to stop playing or when I decide to keep continuing, I will let you know. I don’t know, I simply try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time.”

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Nadal has spent the better part of two years sidelined with injury. And he stated that he would walk away when he thought he was no longer able to meet the standard he wanted.

“I have been suffering a lot of injuries the last two years, so if I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going or physically I’m not ready enough to keep going, I will stop, and I will let you know,” he continued. “But I mean, I don’t think every day about whether I am retiring or not.”

But when the time to quit does come, Nadal is at peace with the concept. He said: “That’s part of life. Everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. I would miss playing tennis at the competitive stages as probably all the professionals that have been playing tennis for virtually all their life and they genuinely adore what they do.

“I’m a player that I like what I do and of course I’m going to miss the thrill of playing but you know, guys, I cannot complain. I have been playing in all these courts for 20 years, battling for the most important things.

“I achieved considerably more than I ever dreamed. If that’s the last match here or when it’s going to be the last match here, I’m going to accept [it] in peace, I do my best, I can’t complain anymore.”