Rafael
Nadal Parera was unable to secure an Olympic medal with Carlos Alcaraz in
Paris. After his elimination, he left his future open-ended, and now we know
more about his plans for the remainder of 2024: he will not play in the
US Open
and will compete in the Laver Cup, organized by his good friend Roger Federer.
The
Mallorcan announced the news through his X account: “Hi all, writing today to
let you guys know that I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open, a
place where I have amazing memories.," Nadal wrote.
"I will miss those electric and special
night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don’t think I would be able to give my
100% this time. Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and
will see you another time. Best of lucks to all for the always amazing US Open!
My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin."
End of an Era?
We will see
if deciding not to play in New York means that Rafa Nadal will take a step back
and leave professional tennis at the end of 2024, or if he will give himself
another chance to shine after his challenging 2023.
He has played a couple of
tough matches this year, feeling physically well—one against Alexander Zverev
at Roland Garros and another against Novak Djokovic at the Olympics—and he lost
both clearly... Has Rafa's end come?
