Rafael Nadal, 14 times winner of the tournament, retires and announces the probable end of his career next season

Already absent from major clay tournaments in recent weeks in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, ​​Madrid and Rome, Rafael Nadal is also having to ignore Roland-Garros. The Spaniard announced, during a press conference on Thursday 18 May, his package for the Paris tournament, whose main draw will begin on 28 May. “The Australian Open injury didn’t evolve as I would have liked. It’s impossible for me to play at Roland-Garros this year, you can imagine how difficult it is for me”said the Majorcan, whose announcement of the package was expected.

Injured iliopsoas in his left leg, he hasn’t played a match since January and since his elimination in the second round of the Australian Open face Mackenzie McDonald, while recovering from this injury was to last “between six and eight weeks”, according to the player, fourteen times Roland-Garros winner. This absence will cost him dearly in the standings. Holder of the title in Paris, he will fall, at the end of the Paris fortnight, around 130th place in the world, and will leave the Top 100 for the first time since April 2003.

Rafael Nadal, who will turn 37 on 3 June, has played in every edition of Roland-Garros since his first participation in 2005. However, this is the second time the Spaniard has retired before the tournament even started. He had to skip it in 2004, at the dawn of his first participation. As an 18-year-old rising star on the circuit, he had to retire due to a broken left foot. In 2016, a pain in his left wrist prevented him from playing his third round, against Marcel Granollers.

“Probably” a career end in 2024

During the press conference, Nadal also talked about what next year will be “probably the last year of his career”. “I want to play next year with the guarantee of doing what I want and playing the games that are close to my heart, and I think it will be my last year.” He added. Bruised by injuries, the Spaniard, who has dropped to 14th place in the world championship, is finding it increasingly difficult to recover.“VSThe last few years have been difficult. I’ll let my body recover, it’s a break with no return date. When I feel physically and mentally ready, I’ll be back.”

The Manacor bull has not given precise indications on his next tournament, but he has opened the doors to a return at the end of the year, and would like to be part of the Paris Olympic Games for his last dance. “I have no plans to play in the next few months. Pmaybe at the end of the year, to play Davis Cup, if I’m ready and the captain agrees. Of course, the Olympic Games are one of the big competitions I want to participate in.” he concluded.