Rafael Nadal announces emotional retirement plan and withdraws from French Open
Rafael Nadal has officially announced his withdrawal from the upcoming French Open. The Spaniard is still battling a psoas injury that he picked up at the Australian Open four months ago. Nadal also hinted at retirement as he said he would try to play in 2024, believing it could be the final year of his career.
Nadal has officially withdrawn from the French Open for the first time in his career as he admitted it would be “impossible” to play the tournament. Speaking at a press conference, the 14-time champion in Paris said: “I won’t be able to play at Roland Garros. It’s not a decision I made, it’s a decision my body made.”
Nadal also threw the rest of his career into doubt as he confirmed that he wouldn’t be able to compete for an extended period before revealing that 2024 would likely be his last year on tour. “I won’t be playing for the next few months. On a personal level, day-to-day work, things are difficult. It’s difficult to be deprived of what’s a big part of your life,” he continued.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion then looked ahead to a potential comeback at the Davis Cup before likely retiring next season. He continued: “I hope to be ready by the Davis Cup, and I want to play in 2024, which should be the last year of my career. I want to be able to enjoy it and to say goodbye to tournaments that I want.”
The former world No 1 said he hoped that an extended break would allow him to return to competition in 2024 with no pain, for what he expected to be his final year on the tour. “That would be my objective, to try to stop to face the last year of my sports career with the guarantees of being able to enjoy it,” he explained.
“And I am aware that if I continue playing at this moment, I do not think that this can happen next year and I want to give myself the chance of this happening.”
Nadal also revealed that his body had struggled in practice sessions since the pandemic, as he was unable to follow his training schedule. “I was not able to enjoy my diary work since after the pandemic. My body was not able to hold the practices,” he confessed.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.