Rafael Nadal confirms US Open withdrawal, will play Laver Cup next

Rafael Nadal officially skips the US Open, which means he has not won a Grand Slam match since the 2023 Australian Open.


Rafael Nadal confirms US Open withdrawal, will play Laver Cup next

Rafael Nadal US Open (via Imago)

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has confirmed his withdrawal from the upcoming US Open. The Spaniard was on the entry list for Flushing Meadows, but he indicated that it didn’t confirm his participation in the event.

However, he has now decided not to participate in the US Open, marking his second successive withdrawal from the final Grand Slam of the year. Nadal has also announced that his next tournament will be the Laver Cup, taking place in mid-September.

YouTube video
Hi all, writing today to let you guys know that I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open a place where I have amazing memories. I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don’t think I would be able to give my 100% this time. Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time. Best of lucks to all for the always amazing US Open!My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin.
Rafael Nadal on Instagram

Nadal has spent the majority of the 2024 season on clay courts. He has played only one Grand Slam match this year, which was at his favorite major event, Roland Garros. The left-hander lost in the first round to Alexander Zverev in straight sets and mentioned that it might be the last time he participates in the clay-court Grand Slam.

FS Video

Nadal’s only tennis action outside of clay was in Brisbane, which was his first tournament of the season. The 38-year-old has not won a Grand Slam match since the 2023 Australian Open first round, where he beat Jack Draper in four sets.

Will Rafael Nadal retire at the Laver Cup?

With Rafael Nadal confirming his US Open withdrawal, the Spaniard’s fans look forward to seeing their idol return at the Laver Cup. However, the big question arises: Will that be the last tournament of Nadal’s career?

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

Tennis fans are having flashbacks of the 2022 tournament, where the 22-time Grand Slam champion participated in Roger Federer‘s farewell tournament. The fact that Nadal announced his withdrawal from the US Open and eventual participation at the Laver Cup on Federer’s 43rd birthday also appears to hint at his potential exit from the game.

The Swiss Maestro preferred to retire at the Laver Cup because it was located in London, where he has had the most success in his career. He won eight Wimbledon titles, two of his six ATP World Tour Finals, and an Olympic singles silver medal in the English capital.

Ideally, if only the city is considered, Nadal should have retired at the Paris Olympics, given his success at Roland Garros, where he has won 14 Grand Slam titles. Hence, the tennis community will be glued to their mobile phones in the next month or so, looking for updates from Nadal.

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