Rafael Nadal Drops Out of 2024 US Open, Says He Will ‘Miss Those Electric and Special Night Sessions’

Rafael Nadal announced he will not participate in the 2024 U.S. Open.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed on Instagram that he decided not to compete in the upcoming tournament, which is set for Aug. 26 – Sept. 8, 2024. He is a four-time U.S. Open champion, having won the tournament in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019.

The 38-year-old tennis pro noted that he has “amazing memories” of the tournament and will “miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe,” however he believes he won’t “be able to give [his] 100% this time.”

“Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time,” he added. “Best of lucks to all for the always amazing US Open!”

He assured worried fans that his next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin, which will take place from Sept. 20 to Sept. 22.

The announcement follows his recent participation in the 2024 Olympics representing Spain. He and Carlos Alcaraz lost the doubles quarterfinal match to the Netherlands pair Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof on July 30. His doubles loss followed his second-round loss in singles against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who took home the gold on Sunday, Aug. 4.

While in Paris, he was asked about playing the US Open, and before he responded, he paused for a moment before saying, “Looks like not. But I’m going to let you know soon,” he said, per the Associated Press. “For me, now, I can’t give you a clear answer. I need some time, but for me, [it] looks difficult.”

Ahead of his Olympic matches, he joined fellow tennis champion Serena Williams, as well as French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, basketball player Tony Parker and many more to help light the Olympic cauldron during the 2024 Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26.

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The recent news also follows his withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters tournament in April, when he said his “body simply won’t allow” him to compete.

Nadal also said the month before that a retirement decision might not be too far away.

“What put me in a position to be close to retirement is my body more than anything else because in my mind is healthy in terms of passion for what I’m doing,” he said. “The main thing for me is stay more or less healthy. If that happens, then we can analyze in what position in terms of level I am.”

Ahead of the 2024 announcements and hints of retirement, he said in May 2023 that 2024 would be his final year on the tour due to his hip surgery.