Yes, people said that. Nadal may also have said that himself at some point, but the pundits said that all the time, especially in his early career.

It was a reasonable prediction. Rafa's a machine, but Wolverine he ain't. And yet he keeps on playing. It just goes to show that even reasonable predictions can be wildly inaccurate.

I remember 10-12 years ago people talking about how his play style was so hard on his body that he'd end up having his career cut short. And here we are.