Rafael Nadal pulls out of US Open, citing concerns about fitness
Novak Djokovic on possibly facing Nadal in second round at Olympics
A “blockbuster” matchup between two of the best tennis players could materialize in the second round of the Paris Olympics.
Rafael Nadal won’t take part in the US Open because of concerns about his fitness, the tennis star said Wednesday.
This marks the second consecutive year he has sat out the year’s final Grand Slam tournament. He has won four times, most recently in 2019.
“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,” the 38-year-old Nadal said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “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.”
Nadal said his next event would be the Sept. 20-22 Laver Cup in Berlin.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner competed at the Paris Olympics where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles competition and reached the quarterfinals of the doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
“Rafa is a tremendous champion and he will be missed during the 2024 US Open by the fans and all those associated with the tournament,” U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said in a statement. “We wish him all the best and look forward to having him back at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.”
The former world No. 1 has fallen to 159th in the rankings after struggling for two years withinjuries and against Djokovic at the Olympics suffered one of his worst losses in a 6-1 6-4 defeat.
Nadal sat out the Australian Open in January after suffering a small muscle tear during his comeback from a longinjury layoff and in May, he crashed to his earliest French Open exit when he lost in the first round.
He skipped Wimbledon to prepare for the Paris Olympics. The tennis event was played on the clay courts atRoland Garros where he celebrated 14 French Open titles.
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