Rafael Nadal pulls out of Laver Cup and issues lengthy statement | Tennis | Sport
Rafael Nadal has announced that he will not be competing in the Laver Cup in Berlin next week.
In April, Nadal confirmed that he had planned to compete for Team Europe this month, and reiterated the desire to do so as early as last month.
But the 38-year-old has pulled out of the event, casting doubt on the remainder of his 2024 season, having skipped the US Open in another year plagued by fitness concerns.
Nadal has been tipped to retire sooner rather than later, though he won’t be bringing the curtain down on his sensational career at the Laver Cup in the same style as Roger Federer.
The tennis legend has announced that he will not be competing for Team Europe in Germany, sharing a statement to reveal the ‘disappointing’ news.
He wrote: “I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week. This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.
“I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn in his final year as Captain. I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”
Team Europe is yet to announce a replacement for Nadal, with the squad led by captain Bjorn Borg and consisting of Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Team World announced that Alex de Minaur and Tommy Paul would be sitting out the event. Francisco Cerundolo and Thanasi Kokkinakkis will join a team led by captain John McEnroe, alongside US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Alejandro Tabilo.
Nadal opted against competing at the US Open earlier this month, meaning that he has not won a Grand Slam since the 2022 French Open, when he took his title tally to 14 at Roland-Garros.
Some, such as tennis legend McEnroe, were expecting Nadal to announce his retirement in Berlin this month, but Nadal shut down that speculation in an interview with El Hormiguero recently. He said: “It’s been a long time, I’ve had a lot of physical problems and the question is normal.
“There comes a time when I can’t live with [the idea of] retirement, because otherwise you don’t finish trying. I’ve given myself some time to enjoy tennis after a year and a half off the court and that’s what I’m doing, enjoying the day-to-day. In the end, I’m giving myself time and making my decision when I’m clear about it.”
