Rafael Nadal will skip the upcoming US Open, not feeling ready to embrace best-of-five duels on hard court after Bastad and the Olympic Games. Rafa shared a message with his fans, explaining his US Open withdrawal and announcing his next tournament.
The veteran will defend the colors of Team Europe at the Laver Cup in Berlin between September 20 and 22. Rafa hopes to chase the title alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, with many speculating it could be his final event in a career.
Nadal has yet to announce his long-term plans, although things do not look promising for the 24-time Major winner. Rafa has played in seven tournaments in 2024, six on clay, reaching the final in Bastad but failing to make a name for himself at stronger events.
The 22-time Major winner will not train only to collect a win or two, and he will probably retire if his body fails to recover and make him competitive again, which is an unlikely scenario.
However, Nadal will take more time off the court before focusing on his Laver Cup campaign.
Rafa defended the colors of Team Europe during the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague seven years ago. He lost the doubles match alongside Tomas Berdych on the opening day before prevailing over Jack Sock, securing his first Laver Cup win.
Federer and Nadal joined forces for the first time in the doubles, ousting Jack Sock and Sam Querrey and adding more points for their squad. Rafa lost a tight clash to John Isner on the third day before celebrating the title with his teammates.
Two years later, Nadal returned to the Laver Cup in Geneva. The Spaniard defeated Milos Raonic before falling in the doubles alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas. Rafa did not play on days one and three, and that win over Milos helped Team Europe to claim the third consecutive title.
Nadal’s third Laver Cup came in London two years ago despite an abdominal injury
Rafael Nadal will play at the Laver Cup in September.
Roger Federer invited his great rival to compete alongside him on his retirement, and Rafa could not say no. Two legends met Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock and squandered a match point in a 4-6, 7-6, 11-9 loss in two hours and 13 minutes.
It was a historic night of tennis, and two legends did their best to prevail against their younger opponents. Rafa and Roger squandered their chance in the second set and lost the match tie break despite an early advantage.
All four players served well early on, producing eight holds that kept them at 4-4. Nadal felt issues in the ninth game, netting a backhand and facing a break point. Roger saved it with a smash winner, and the veterans landed another direct point for a hold and 5-4.
Federer and Nadal bounced back in the tenth game and earned a set point after the Swiss’ volley winner at the net. Sock sprayed an error, allowing Team Europe to take the opener 6-4 in 42 minutes. The Americans grabbed a break at 1-1 in the second set, pressuring Rafa and moving in front.
Jack and Frances saved three break points in the fourth game, cementing the break and moving 3-1 in front. Nadal and Federer held in game five and made a push on the return in the next one, breaking their rivals at 15 and locking the result at 3-3.
They served well in the upcoming games, and Jack landed a smash winner at 4-5 to extend the drama. Nadal played a loose service game at 5-5 and faced six break points! He and Roger denied them, and the Spaniard brought the game home with a service winner, producing a massive hold and moving his team closer to the finish line.
The legends stood two points from the finish line on the return at 6-5. Still, Sock remained focused and held, introducing a tiebreak. The Americans outplayed their rivals, with Frances causing Roger’s mistake at 6-2, wrapping up the set in style and introducing a deciding match tie break.
Nadal played well in the opening three points, creating an early advantage for Team Europe.
Team World stayed composed and grabbed four straight points, opening a 4-3 gap after Jack’s incredible winner.
Rafa and Roger landed winners in the tenth and 14th points before Frances sprayed a backhand error at 8-8, offering the legends a match point. The Americans saved it and generated their match point at 9-9 after Tiafoe’s return winner, knocking Nadal to the ground.
Sock sealed the deal for Team World with a forehand down the line winner in the 20th point, sending Federer into retirement. With no more clay-court tournaments, it will be interesting to see if Nadal will compete again this season after the Laver Cup.
The veteran is eager to extend his career, although his body does not send positive signs. Despite winning almost everything, the legend would love to fight for the titles again and play more events in front of his son, although he does not want to do that at any cost and jeopardize his health.
Hi all. I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open, a place where I have unforgettable memories. I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC on Arthur Ashe, but I do not think I can give my 100% this time.
Thanks to all my US fans. I will miss you all and will see you another time. My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin,” Rafael Nadal said.
