'Maybe a chance to say goodbye' - Rafael Nadal admits he was close to retiring ahead of Australian Open

Rafael Nadal admits he has spent a lot of time thinking about saying “goodbye” to tennis, as he prepares to fight for his 21st major title. The 35-year-old has the chance to secure the record for most Grand Slam wins in the men's game if he takes victory in the Australian Open final against world No.

2 Daniil Medvedev. Ad/> Taking the trophy away from Melbourne will see Nadal move one major triumph ahead of his long-time rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at the summit of world tennis.

Australian Open'My favourite has always been Rafa' — Ruud backing Nadal for record-breaking winAN HOUR AGO 'I think Novak will be watching' – Medvedev out to stop Nadal’s 21st party 'My favourite has always been Rafa' — Ruud backing Nadal for record-breaking win Nadal is 'unique, special' talent – Corretja on Spaniard’s run to AO final Following his four-set semi-final win against Matteo Berrettini, Nadal’s been reflecting on the tough times he’s faced to get himself back to fitness. «As I said, no, I went through a lot of challenging moments, a lot of days of hard work without seeing a light there.

But still working and still receiving plenty of support from my team and from my family, too, without a doubt,” he said. A foot injury took Nadal out of action for several months last year, but he finally made his competitive return during the Australian swing, and is now just one win away from his first title since the French Open in 2020.

However, Nadal has revealed he’s come very close to calling time on his tennis career on several occasions. “Yeah, I mean, a lot of conversations with the team, with the family about what can happen or what is going to happen if the things continue like this, thinking that maybe is a chance to say