Rafael Nadal withdrew from next week’s Laver Cup in Berlin, and will no longer compete for Team Europe, he announced on Thursday. The Laver Cup, to be held from Sept. 20-22, is an indoor hard-court men’s competition pitting Team Europe against Team World in a format reminiscent of golf’s Ryder Cup. No replacement for Nadal was immediately announced.
The Laver Cup would have been Nadal’s first event since the Paris Olympics, where he lost in the second round of singles to Novak Djokovic. The 22-time Grand Slam champion didn’t address when he might play again.
The 38-year-old Nadal said via Laver Cup’s social media: “A statement from @RafaelNadal regarding Laver Cup Berlin 2024: “I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week. This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win. I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn in his final year as Captain. I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”
Nadal withdrew last month from the U.S. Open, and has missed three of the four Grand Slam tournaments in 2024. Retirement rumors have circulated Nadal all season long, but he hasn’t stated when he plans to retire. He missed the beginning of the 2024 season with abdominal issues, and missed most of the 2023 season while dealing with a hip surgery and recovery.
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