Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, has announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 US Open due to concerns about his fitness. The Spaniard, who has struggled with injuries over the past two years, revealed his decision on Wednesday, citing his inability to give his 100% effort at the tournament.
Nadal, who won his most recent US Open title in 2019, will miss the tournament for the second consecutive year. He expressed his disappointment at missing the event, where he has created many fond memories, including his four championship victories.
The former world number one has endured a challenging period, struggling with injuries and suffering significant losses, including a 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics. Nadal’s ranking has slipped to 159th, a far cry from his former glory.
Nadal’s next competitive outing will be at the Laver Cup in Berlin, scheduled for September 20th to 22nd. The tournament, which pits teams from Europe, the Americas, and the rest of the world against each other, will provide Nadal with an opportunity to regain his form and momentum.
US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster expressed her disappointment at Nadal’s withdrawal, praising him as a “tremendous champion” who will be missed by fans and tournament officials alike. Allaster wished Nadal all the best and looked forward to his return to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the future.
