Rafael Nadal has decided to miss Roland Garros 2023 and the whole season due to the prolongation of problems related to the psoas muscle caused by the Spanish champion’s injury at the Australian Open.
But that’s not all: in the press conference announcing his withdrawal from the French Open, Rafa also stated that 2024 could be his last tennis season before finally retiring.
According to the Express, Nadal could be of great help to Roger Federer and retire at the Laver Cup 2024, the same event where Roger Federer retired in 2022. If this is going to be Rafa’s choice, Federer, one of the founders of the Laver Cup, might very well want Rafael Nadal in the competition to add prestige to the duel between the European team and the world team and a romantic ending to their sporting rivalry and great friendship to offer to the court.
Rafael Nadal fehlt in Paris
Rafael Nadal held a special press conference at his academy to explain the reasons that prevented him from attending the upcoming Roland Garros. The Spaniard, who has won a whopping 14 titles at the Paris Grand Slams, will most likely postpone his return straight to next season when all his fans and tennis enthusiasts in general are hoping that he will recover physically and be able to do so play what should be his last year on the circuit.
A difficult decision but a necessary one, explained the Mallorcan champion. The injury that has plagued him for the past few months has not healed as hoped but needs more time to allow Rafa to return to the pitch without pain.
The 36-year-old has had a difficult season so far. It all started at the Australian Open, the first major event of the season but also the last for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, who injured his psoas muscle and has never set foot on the court since.
Nadal, who is currently fourteenth in the world rankings, will drop another 2000 points and leave the top 100 at the end of the French Open. But this circumstance is currently marginal. The Spaniard and his fans are hoping Philippe-Chatrier will reignite as only he has for the last twenty years.
Amélie Mauresmo, director of Roland Garros, said clearly that she was extremely saddened by the painful absence on the tournament’s official YouTube channel: “It is news that first saddens Rafa, who loves to play in Paris.
We can imagine how difficult this decision was for him. Now he will need some time and rest. We hope to see him again at Roland Garros next year.”
2023-05-23 14:07:29
#Rafael #Nadals #retirement #Roger #Federer
