For 24 hours, the world of tennis has been on the alert. On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal summoned members of the media to his academy in Mallorca. The Spaniard has finally formalized his withdrawal for the next Roland-Garros tournament in addition to affirming that the 2024 season will be his last.
Throughout his career, Nadal has been plagued by injuries. Even more in recent years. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old is still one of the favourites, as despite a damaged body he won two major tournaments last season.
The 14the world player seems unfazed, despite his recurring foot, back and knee injuries. This time, it’s the hip that’s missing. Aggravated at the Australian Open, this injury forced him to miss all the clay-court tournaments since the start of the season, for the first time in his career.
Thursday afternoon, in a white polo shirt bearing the image of his academy, the undisputed king of clay announced in his mother tongue that he was going to have to withdraw for the Roland-Garros tournament. A first absence since 2004.
Impossible mission
“It will be impossible for me to participate. It s too difficult. I’ve been participating in it for so many years, too, ”he said without wasting time, once placed on a stool.
Nadal has won the tournament 14 times. A record, of course.
“I’m not ready to play to my own standards,” he continued.
He has only played four games since the start of the season. He lost three. “It was not me who made the decision, it was my body. »
The 22-time grand slam champion says it’s getting harder and harder for him to ply his trade: “I haven’t been able to endure training since the pandemic. I am not able to enjoy matches and practices. »
Retirement in 2024
Nadal also took the opportunity to announce that the 2024 season will be his last, if his body allows him to hold on.
For now, he has confirmed his absence from the courts for the next few months. “It can be a month and a half, two months or four months. I don’t like to predict the future. »
However, if he can start the 2024 season in Australia, “next season will be my last. »
He wants at all costs to take part in a farewell tour, a question of thanking everyone one last time. “That would be ideal. I want to say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important to me. »
Next year, the Paris Games Olympic tournament will be held at Porte d’Auteuil, on the grounds of Roland-Garros. We bet that Nadal would like to retire with a medal around his neck, even if he preferred not to expand on the subject at a press conference.
It remains to be seen if he will be present in Toronto as part of the National Bank Open and at the Laver Cup in Vancouver this fall.