Rafael Nadal’s Laver Cup replacement has been confirmed following the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s withdrawal
On Thursday, tournament organisers confirmed that the Spaniard would no longer represent Team Europe at this year’s edition, sparking injury fears.
But Nadal later shared his own statement, revealing that he was feeling good physically but felt someone else would be better placed to help the team get points and win.
And that person will be Grigor Dimitrov. The world No. 10 will make just his second appearance at the Ryder Cup-style event.
He previously played the tournament’s second-ever edition in Chicago in 2018 and won the opening singles match against Frances Tiafoe. But, partnering David Goffin in the doubles, they lost in straight sets.
Dimitrov’s decision to replace Nadal at the upcoming Laver Cup is interesting given that the 33-year-old is facing injury woes of his own. He retired from his recent US Open quarter-final clash with Frances Tiafoe just nine days ago, explaining that he didn’t want to “risk” anything with his body.
Afterwards, the Bulgarian confessed that he had several physical problems and couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue that forced him to forfeit the match. “I think it’s a combination from everything. Clearly my rehab process is a little bit slower than before. I mean, I felt a couple of things in prior the match,” he said.
“It accumulates. You just never know, like, how, you know, with the stress, with the amount of effort we’re putting into the game.”
Dimitrov also retired from his fourth-round match at Wimbledon while trailing Daniil Medvedev 3-5. He was back on the court a month later at the Canadian Open but suffered early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati.
But he clearly feels fit enough to step up and fill Nadal’s place at the Laver Cup, which takes place next weekend. The pressure will be on after the Spaniard suggested whoever replaced him would do a better job.
Right now, I’m not in a position to win anything. I said that I would play until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and then we would see, and I am in that time of rest. Mentally, I am well. Zero problems physically too,” the 38-year-old said, taming injury fears.
“I have not competed for a while. There will be another player who will do better.
