'I will miss you all' - Rafael Nadal to skip Wimbledon 2024 for Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal last played at Wimbledon in 2022, where he had to retire in the semis.

Twenty-two-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has announced that he won’t participate in the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The Spaniard announced via his social media account.

Rafael Nadal last played at the 2024 French Open, where he was eliminated in the first round by eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev in straight sets. The Spaniard suffered a hip injury in January 2023, which ruled him out for the whole year.

Nadal made his much-awaited comeback in 2024 at the Brisbane International. However, his return was short-lived as his hip injury flared during his quarterfinal match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was again sidelined for three more months.

He later returned to tennis with the ATP 500 Barcelona Open in April, where he was eliminated in the second round by Alex de Minaur. Since April, the Spaniard has played nine matches, losing four.

Also Read: Confirmed: Rafael Nadal will play doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz at 2024 Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal also participated in the French Open, but his campaign ended in the inaugural round. Thus, the 38-year-old has announced that he won’t be playing at the 2024 Wimbledon as he’s preparing for the Paris Olympics. Nadal also stated that the 2024 Paris Games will be his last Olympics.

Nadal wrote on his X (formerly Twitter account), “During my post match press conference at Roland Garros I was asked about my summer calendar and since then I have been practicing on clay. It was announced yesterday that I will play at the summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympics.”

During my post match press conference at Roland Garros I was asked about my summer calendar and since then I have been practicing on clay. It was announced yesterday that I will play at the summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympics.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 13, 2024

He wrote further, “With this goal, we believe that the best for my body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then. It’s for this reason that I will miss playing at the Championships this year at Wimbledon. I am saddened not to be able to live this year the great atmosphere of that amazing event that will always be in my heart, and be with all the British fans that always gave me great support. I will miss you all.”

With this goal, we believe that the best for my body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then. It’s for this reason that I will miss playing at the Championships this year at Wimbledon. I am saddened not to be able to live this year the great atmosphere of…

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 13, 2024

However, the 38-year-old revealed that he would play in Sweden at the Nordea Open 2024 before the Olympics. Fans can expect Nadal to team up with Carlos Alcaraz in Bustad before the Paris Games.

In order to prepare for the Olympic Games, I will play the tournament in Bastad, Sweden. A tournament that I played earlier in my career and where I had a great time both on and off the court. Looking forward to seeing you all there.Thank you

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 13, 2024

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