Rafa Nadal has withdrawn from next week’s Laver Cup because he could not play at his best as he works to regain full fitness, the Spaniard said on Thursday.
Nadal last played at the Paris Olympics, where he lost in the second round to Novak Djokovic, before skipping the US Open due to fitness issues.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner said he was targeting a return at the Laver Cup in Berlin, which will be held from September 20-22. “I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be able to participate in the Laver Cup in Berlin next week”Nadal said in a statement.
It’s a team competition and to support the European team I have to do what’s best for them and at that moment other players can help the team to win.
“I have many memories from the Laver Cup and was really looking forward to reuniting with my teammates and Bjorn for his final year as captain. I wish the European team the best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”.
Nadal last competed in the Laver Cup in 2022, when he teamed up with rival Roger Federer for the Swiss’ final match. A former world number one, Nadal is no longer in the top 150 of the rankings after battling injuries for two years.
