Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week’s Laver Cup because he could not play at his best as he battles to return to full fitness, the Spaniard said on Thursday.
Nadal last played at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where he lost to Serbian Novak Djokovic in the second round, before the 38-year-old skipped the US Open due to fitness concerns.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner said he was aiming for a return at the Laver Cup in Berlin from September 20-22.
“I am really disappointed to tell you that I will not be able to participate in the Laver Cup in Berlin next week. It is a team competition and to really support the European team I have to do what is best for them and right now there are other players who can help the team achieve victory,” Nadal said in a statement.
“I have so many great memories from the Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and Bjorn (Borg) for his last year as captain,” he added. “I wish the European team the best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”
Nadal last played at the Laver Cup in 2022, when he teamed up with long-time rival Roger Federer for the final match of the Swiss great’s career.
A former world number one, Nadal has fallen outside the top 150 rankings after struggling with injuries for two years.
