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Rafael Nadal isn't sure whether he will play in Paris again after his Olympics end in a doubles loss

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Rafael Nadal isn't sure whether he will play in Paris again after his Olympics end in a doubles loss
Sport

Sport

Rafael Nadal isn't sure whether he will play in Paris again after his Olympics end in a doubles loss

2024-08-01 05:34 Last Updated At:05:42

PARIS (AP) — When it was over, when Rafael Nadal's Paris Games — and his Olympic career — ended with a doubles loss in a stadium central to his legacy because it hosts the French Open, which he's won a record 14 times, he soaked in the applause accompanying his exit from the red clay.

Was this 6-2, 6-4 defeat alongside Carlos Alcaraz to the fourth-seeded American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram actually Nadal's last match at Roland Garros?

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Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Let's let Nadal answer: “Maybe,” he said later in the evening. “I don't know.”

Was it his last match anywhere? No way for anyone to be sure if he himself isn't.

After collecting his equipment from the sideline, the 38-year-old Spaniard looked around the place that has meant so much to him during his time in tennis and waved to the spectators, who were bidding adieu with the latest in a series of standing ovations for him during these Olympics. Nadal paused before stepping through the doorway that leads toward the locker room, and Alcaraz placed his right hand on his partner’s left shoulder.

“If that’s the last time (here) for me, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and support every single second that I have been on court,” Nadal said about the spectators, who clapped and yelled and sang for him throughout the quarterfinal match.

“It's super, super special to feel that, particularly in this place. So I can't really thank all of them enough for giving me the feelings I have inside myself and the emotions they make me feel,” he continued. “I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but if that's the last time, I enjoyed it.”

The match was played at Court Philippe Chatrier, where French Open finals are contested, where he accumulated more than half of his haul of 22 Grand Slam trophies.

“For me,” Ram said, “Rafa at Roland Garros is the ultimate.”

Nadal has not announced anything about a possible retirement, but given his age and recent history of injuries — including hip surgery in 2023 — it seems safe to say he probably does not have much left in him. He said Wednesday he doubts he will compete in the U.S. Open, which starts in late August.

“I need some time (to decide), but for me, (it) looks difficult,” Nadal said.

He won gold medals for Spain in singles at Beijing in 2008 and in doubles at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. This time around, he was defeated in singles on Monday by rival Novak Djokovic.

When Krajiceck served out the victory, Alcaraz and Nadal hugged on one side of the net — and the Americans did the same on the other side.

“It was an unbelievable experience for me. It’s something I will never forget, that’s for sure — playing on the same side of the net (as) Rafa,” Alcaraz said. “I tried to enjoy every single second that we played together.”

Nadal and Alcaraz are not frequent doubles players — indeed, this was their first event together.

They do, however, own a combined 26 Grand Slam singles titles. Alcaraz has four, including this year’s French Open in June, then Wimbledon in July.

“I'm a little disappointed right now,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously we wanted to keep going. We wanted to get the win and give us a chance to fight for a medal.”

Ram and Krajicek are far more accomplished in doubles. Both have been ranked No. 1. Ram has collected four Grand Slam titles in men’s doubles with another partner and Krajicek one.

All four players on court could be heard communicating over the hush that enveloped the stands shortly before points began. At moments, the Americans’ yells of “You! You!” were clearly audible.

After points — especially those won by Nadal and Alcaraz — it got loud under the retractable roof shut because of rain. Really loud. There were chants of “Ra-fa!” and chants for his country — “Es-pa-ña!” — occasionally answered by far less vociferous shouts of “U-S-A!”

Nadal is as popular a player who ever has competed at Roland Garros. So popular that there is a steel statue of him that stands just outside Chatrier.

It was in that arena that he was handed those 14 French Open trophies. And in that arena that he lost to rival Djokovic on Monday.

No one knows whether he ever will go back and play there again. If he doesn't return, it's hard to say who would be sadder — Nadal himself or his many, many fans.

“At this stage of my career, I play for feelings,” he said. “I play for emotions, more than for results.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain compete against Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Austin Krajicek Rajeev Ram of the USA compete against Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Carlos Alcaraz, left, and Rafael Nadal of Spain leave the court after losing against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the USA during the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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Japan's exports hit record high, but trade deficit continues

2025-01-23 13:16 Last Updated At:13:21

TOKYO (AP) — Japan saw record-high exports last year, as its annual trade deficit declined 44% from the previous year, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday.

The trade deficit, which measures the value of exports minus imports, totaled 5.3 trillion yen ($34 billion), according to government data, as imports ballooned on the back of rising energy costs and growing inflation around the world.

Exports from the world’s third-largest economy totaled 107.9 trillion yen ($691 billion), surpassing the 100 trillion yen mark for the second-straight year, and the biggest value on record for comparable data, which dates back to 1979, the ministry said.

Some companies may have sped up their exports in anticipation of potential tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump has said he expects to put 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1. During his campaign, he threatened to impose tariffs on imports from China, although details on that remain unclear.

For the month of December, exports gained a greater-than-expected 2.8% on-year, while imports rose 1.8%. Exports grew to Asian and European nations, while dipping slightly to the U.S.

Imports grew most from India, Hong Kong and Iran.

Demand was especially strong for Japan's vehicles, semiconductors and other machinery.

The weakening yen, another recent trend, has the effect of inflating the value of imports. The U.S. dollar has been hovering at 150-yen levels, sometimes surpassing 160 yen, over the past year, while a year ago it was often at 140-yen levels.

Japan has recorded a trade deficit for four straight years, but last year's deficit was considerably smaller than the 9.5 trillion yen deficit for 2023.

FILE - Cars for export are parked at a port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

FILE - Cars for export are parked at a port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

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