MADRID – Less than a month from his 35th birthday, Rafael Nadal is not thinking about retirement at all. Speaking by video conference Thursday after winning his fourth Laureus Award, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was asked how many more years he wants to play. “Well, thanks for the question, but no idea,” Nadal replied. “I can’t predict my future.
I am not worried about that. When the day arrives, I’m going to know.” And what might that day be like? It’ll be, Nadal explained, when he no longer feels that he “can keep fighting or keep enjoying the competition at the level I am used to.” His honor as Sportsman of the Year during a digital ceremony from Seville, Spain, was not the only Laureus Award for someone from the world of tennis: