Rafael Nadal will not play at the upcoming US Open.
Rafael Nadal will forgo the upcoming US Open, feeling unprepared to face best-of-five matches on hard court following Bastad and the Olympics. Rafa sent a message to his followers explaining his US Open withdrawal and confirming his next tournament.
The veteran will represent Team Europe at the Laver Cup in Berlin from September 20 to 22. Rafa aims to compete for the title alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, with many thinking that this will be his final tournament.
Nadal has not announced his long-term plans, but things do not look good for the 24-time Major winner. Rafa has competed in seven tournaments in 2024, six on clay, reaching the final in Bastad but failing to create a reputation for himself at higher-level events.
The 22-time Major winner will not train solely for a win or two, and he will most likely retire if his body is unable to recuperate and make him competitive again, which is improbable.
However, Nadal will spend more time away from the court before focusing on his Laver Cup campaign.
Seven years ago, Rafa defended Team Europe’s colors at the first Laver Cup in Prague. He lost the doubles match with Tomas Berdych on the first day before defeating Jack Sock to claim his maiden Laver Cup victory.
Federer and Nadal teamed up for the first time in the doubles, defeating Jack Sock and Sam Querrey and earning additional points to their team. Rafa lost a close match to John Isner on the third day before celebrating his triumph with his teammates.
Two years later, Nadal returned to the Laver Cup in Geneva. The Spaniard defeated Milos Raonic before falling in the doubles alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas. Rafa did not play on days one and three, and that win over Milos helped Team Europe to claim the third consecutive title.
Nadal’s third Laver Cup came in London two years ago despite an abdominal injury.
Rafael Nadal will play at the Laver Cup in September.
Roger Federer invited his great opponent to participate with him in his retirement, and Rafa couldn’t refuse. Two veterans faced off against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, who lost 4-6, 7-6, 11-9 in two hours and 13 minutes.
It was a historic night of tennis, with two legends doing their best to beat their younger opponents. Rafa and Roger squandered their opportunity in the second set, losing the match tie break despite an early lead.
All four players served effectively early on, compiling eight holds to keep the score at 4-4. Nadal struggled in the ninth game, netting a backhand and facing a break point. Roger salvaged the day with a smash winner, and the veterans added another direct point for a hold and 5-4.
Federer and Nadal rallied in the tenth game, earning a set point from the Swiss’ volley winner at the net. Sock made a blunder, allowing Team Europe to win the opener 6-4 in 42 minutes. In the second set, the Americans broke at 1-1 to put pressure on Rafa and take the lead.
In the fourth game, Jack and Frances saved three break points, securing the break and taking a 3-1 lead. Nadal and Federer held in game five and made a comeback in the following one, breaking their opponents at 15 and tying the score at 3–3.
They performed admirably in the next games, and Jack struck a smash winner at 4-5 to heighten the drama. Nadal had a sloppy serve game at 5-5 and faced six break points! He and Roger repelled them, and the Spaniard sealed the victory with a service winner, resulting in a big hold and putting his team closer to the finish line.
On the return, the legends were two points from the finish line, behind 6-5. Nonetheless, Sock remained focused and held, forcing a tiebreaker. The Americans outplayed their opponents, with Frances prompting Roger’s mistake at 6-2, sealing the set and introducing a tie break to decide the match.
Nadal played well in the first three points, giving Team Europe an early advantage.
Team World stayed composed and grabbed four straight points, opening a 4-3 gap after Jack’s incredible winner.
Rafa and Roger won the tenth and fourteenth points, respectively, before Frances made a backhand error at 8-8 to give the legends a match point. The Americans saved it and earned a match point at 9-9 on Tiafoe’s return winner, which knocked Nadal to the ground.
Sock sealed the deal for Team World with a forehand down the line winner on the 20th point, forcing Federer to withdraw. With no more clay-court tournaments, it will be intriguing to watch if Nadal returns this season after the Laver Cup.
The veteran is keen to continue his profession, despite the fact that his body does not show any indications of improvement. Despite winning practically everything, the legend would like to battle for the titles again and play more tournaments in front of his kid, but he does not want to do it at any cost and risk his health.
“Hi all. I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open, a place where I have unforgettable memories. I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC on Arthur Ashe, but I do not think I can give my 100% this time.
Thanks to all my US fans. I will miss you all and will see you another time. My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin,” Rafael Nadal said.
