Why is Rafael Nadal not playing US Open 2024? All you need to know about the Spaniard's plans for the future
Rafael Nadal has decided to skip this year's US Open, which gets underway in New York on August 26. This withdrawal has added to the speculation about his retirement from professional tennis, with uncertainty around his fitness and physique.
The exact reason behind his decision is uncertain, but Nadal's social media post indicates physical well-being. The 38-year-old believes he will not be "able to give my 100% this time" at the US Open.
Nadal was knocked out in the second round of the Paris Olympics by Novak Djokovic. It has been a pretty ordinary season for the Spaniard so far, with a win-loss record of 12-7 in 2024. Most of his losses (and wins) have come on clay: his favourite surface.
Rafa Nadal has struggled on tour this year
Nadal returned to tennis this season after a long injury lay-off. However, he has appeared in only a few tournaments since. The 38-year-old played in all the major tournaments in the European clay swing, except the Monte-Carlo Masters, and also took part in the Olympics. He finished runner-up at the Swedish Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not played in any tournament on hardcourt this season, apart from the Brisbane International last January. He lost to Australian Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinals of there.
During the Paris Olympics, Nadal was asked about his retirement plans after the defeat to Djokovic. Here's what he had to say:
"I cannot spend every day thinking about whether it is the last or not, because otherwise it is impossible"
"I have been suffering a lot of injuries the last two years so if I feel that I am not competitive enough, or physically if I am not enough ready to keep going, I will stop and I will let you know"
Roger Federer, Nadal's lifelong rival with whom the Spaniard shares a close bond, played his last match at the Laver Cup in 2022. It remains to be seen whether the Laver Cup becomes Nadal's swansong, too.
Laver Cup is an international hardcourt men's tennis tournament between Team Europe and Team World. It has been held annually since 2017 and is played indoors.
Nadal has taken part in three editions of the tournament so far in his career. He has played in seven matches there and has a win-loss record of 3-4. The Spaniard has played in three singles matches, winning two. While he will want to play in the Laver Cup this year, the exact timeline of his return remains uncertain.