Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal may have lost to longtime rival Novak Djokovic in men’s singles competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he’s not necessarily ready to walk away from the sport.

Nadal, 38, addressed retirement rumors after his July 29 match against Djokovic, 37, which marked the 60th time the two tennis greats have faced off against each other.

“I cannot live every single day with the feeling 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 going, I will let you know. I don’t know,” Nadal said after his defeat, according to The Associated Press.

“If I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going or physically I am not … ready to keep going, I will stop, and I will let you know,” added the athlete, who shared an emotional hug with Djokovic after Djokovic’s 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Rumors about Nadal’s possible retirement have come amid injury struggles the 22-time Grand Slam champion has faced in recent years.

Nadal, who has racked up gold medals in singles and doubles at previous Olympics, has not been definitive in recent months about the future of his tennis career. In May, Nadal refused to say that the 2024 French Open would be his last.

“Don’t assume that,” Nadal, who has 14 French Open titles, told reporters at a press conference ahead of the tournament, according to The Athletic. “It’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros. But 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.”

As Nadal left the court following his Olympic match, loyal fans chanted “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” to show their support, according to The AP.

But Nadal, who is also competing in doubles with 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics, sounded stoic.

“Playing against Novak without creating damage to him, and without having the legs of 20 years ago, is almost impossible,” he said.

“He played much better than me,” he added, “(from) the beginning to the end.”

As for Djokovic, he acknowledged that the pair’s match, which was attended by Snoop Dogg and tennis icon Billie Jean King, held special meaning for fans.

“You could feel the tension coming into the match, but also incredible hype, incredible atmosphere,” Djokovic said, per The AP. “There was a lot of interest for this match. People wanted to see it live. People wanted to see it on the TV, as well. I was just very proud to be part of this match.”

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