<p>MADRID — Less than a month from his 35th birthday, Rafael Nadal is not thinking about retirement at all.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>And what might that day be like?</p>
<p>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.”</p>
<p>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: Naomi Osaka was selected as Sportswoman of the Year and Billie Jean King got the Lifetime Achievement Award.</p>
<p>Among the other recipients Thursday were Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, the first winner of the Athlete Advocate of the Year for his work against racism; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Breakthrough Award; Canadian snowboarder Max Parrot, Comeback Award; Bayern Munich, Team of the Year; Liverpool star Mo Salah, Sporting Inspiration Award.</p>
<p>Nadal, who is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/madrid-europe-tennis-sports-42e5584f69a0fa9ac45806843906694a"> competing this week at the clay-court Madrid Open</a>, adds this latest Laureus recognition to his 2006 Breakthrough Award, 2011 Sportsman Award and 2014 Comeback Award.</p>
<p>This one arrives after he won his record-extending 13th French Open championship last October, allowing the Spaniard to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 major singles trophies overall.</p>
<p>Nadal can break that mark by winning another title at Roland Garros, where main-draw play begins May 30. He’ll turn 35 on June 3.</p>
<p>“The titles or the numbers never distract (from) my goal, and my goal is just to keep going. … I am still motivated,” Nadal said. “I would love to give myself a chance to win another time in Paris. Let’s see.”</p>
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