Rafa Nadal has announced he will not be playing at this year’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, a fact he confirmed via X, formerly Twitter.
“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” the 22-time Grand Slam champion posted.
Following his early exit from the Olympics last week, the news isn’t surprising but it leads to questions now being asked about his actual retirement.
However, Nadal, a four-time US Open champion, has confirmed he will be playing in the Laver Cup scheduled for Berlin between 20-22nd of September.
And as regards the US Open, the 38-year-old Spaniard has only played it once in the past five years when he suffered a fourth-round loss in 2022 to Frances Tiafoe.
In 2023, Nadal hurt his hip during the Australian Open in January and was forced to skip the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. This year, he hurt a muscle near the hip during a warm-up event before the Australian Open, so he skipped it.
He did play the French Open in May but lost in the first round to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev and then decided to forego the grass court season including Wimbledon, to prepare for the Olympics in Paris. Now he has decided not to play in New York and the likelihood of him announcing his retirement in Berlin is now possible, much like Roger Feder did in the 2022 Laver Cup.
