Alex Corretja claims it is “almost impossible” for Rafael Nadal to play at 2024 US Open

Corretja believes Nadal wouldn't risk changing surfaces in such a short time.

Alex Corretja claims it is “almost impossible” for Rafael Nadal to play at 2024 US Open

Rafael Nadal, Alex Corretja (Images via Imago)

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is in the twilight of his career. In fact, the 2024 season might be his last. Injuries have kept him off the blocks in the past few years. However, despite the challenges, Nadal has played at two major events of the season, the Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics.

Although the 38-year-old was knocked out of the French Open in the first round and from the singles event at the Games after a crushing defeat against Novak Djokovic this Monday (July 29), Nadal is still in contention for the gold medal in the doubles event with his partner Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard seems to be doing just fine on clay.

https://youtu.be/PsXmoN4cxj4?si=z5G14QiGbyUDbcO5

With Nadal playing some good tennis in the clay-court season, there is optimism about him playing the hard-court season, primarily the 2024 US Open as well. But is it possible for the Spaniard to make the switch from clay to hard courts in just a few weeks, with his body susceptible to injuries? Alex Corretja has a clear answer to this question, “No”.

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Alex Corretja analyses Rafael Nadal’s chances of playing 2024 US Open

Alex Corretja feels it is almost impossible for Rafael Nadal to play at the 2024 US Open. The former Spanish tennis star has claimed that Rafa would not risk a change of surface in 10 days. Corretja first highlighted the need for Nadal to play at the Cincinnati Open if he is to compete at the year’s last Grand Slam tournament.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)
For the US Open, you can't go to New York without having already played on hard courts. Will he go to Cincinnati in 10 days with a new change of surface? I think it's almost impossible.
Alex Corretja said of Rafael Nadal’s chances of playing the US Open as per SER100

The 50-year-old former player then talked about a potential alternative for Nadal. Corretja suggested that the 22-time Grand Slam champion can use his experience to help his country at the Davis Cup Finals. He wants Nadal to play doubles like he is doing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

What if he helps in one way or another in the Davis Cup team? Maybe motivating himself to play doubles and contribute something to the team that in September would put him in the semis and, maybe, if he goes to the final he would play in November.
Alex Corretja suggested to Rafael Nadal

Notably, while Nadal has not been able to play to the level he could in singles, he is still having a great time playing doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics. The Spanish pair is already into the quarterfinals and is vying for the gold medal. It is to be seen if Nadal takes Corretja’s suggestion of playing doubles at Davis Cup Finals.

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