Rafael Nadal Pulls Out Of French Open As Injury Lingers, Says 2024 May Be Final Year Of Tennis

Rafael Nadal’s career is coming to a close.

The 36-year-old Spanish tennis legend won’t play the French Open this year for the first time since 2004 due to injury and announced that 2024 may be his final year of tennis. This is his 13th withdrawal from a major due to injury.

“My injury did not progress as it should have,” he announced Thursday at a press conference at his academy in Mallorca, Spain, per Relevant Tennis. “It will be impossible for me to play at the Roland Garros.”

“I just want to give myself the opportunity to compete again for what will be my last year. I hope that 2024 is not just a year of simple appearances, but a year where I can win the tournaments I play. It will be difficult, but we have to hope for it”

There is no timetable on when he will return, but hopes to play in the Davis Cup for Spain later this year.

“The last few years have been difficult and it has been complicated to find consistency in my job, which is what I need,” he said. “The best thing to do now is to take a break and see if the body recovers in the coming months.”

Nadal’s long-time rival Roger Federer retired last year, and the era of the “Big 3” is coming to a close. This will be the first French Open since 1998 without both Nadal and Federer.

Novak Djokovic, the youngest of the three at 35, will keep the legacy going after Nadal and Federer are gone. Between them, the trio has won 64 Grand Slam singles titles.

Roland Garros runs May 28-June 11, and Nadal’s fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is poised to be the No. 1 seed.

Nadal suffered an injury to his lower abdomen and upper right leg at the Australian Open in January, and hasn’t played a single match on clay all season.

Nadal previously pulled out of Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.

Nadal is tied with his top rival at 22 Grand Slam singles titles, two more than the retired Roger Federer.

Without Nadal in Paris, No. 1 Djokovic would have an easier path to win a record 23rd major, although Alcaraz will replace him in the rankings on Monday.

“Well, best rival that I ever had, biggest rival that I ever had,” Djokovic said of Nadal in February. “We played, what, 59 times against each other, I mean, the most that any two players faced each other in the history of the game.”

He added: “We still keep going strong. I’m happy that we both are challenging the young guns for the biggest titles. And I think that probably there is also a big reason why we still compete on a high level is because, you know, he goes because I’m still going, or other way round.

“I think that’s great about this rivalry,” he continued. “And I feel like many people around the world who follow sports and tennis, they still want us to keep going, until we can’t go anymore!” he laughed.

Nadal’s last major title came in Paris a year ago over Casper Ruud with King Felipe VI of Spain looking on proudly. He recovered from a cracked rib suffered in Indian Wells to win the second leg of the Grand Slam after capturing the Australian Open.

But he injured his abdominal muscle at Wimbledon and had to withdraw ahead of a much anticipated semifinal against Nick Kyrgios.

At the U.S. Open last fall, he was upset in the fourth round by American Frances Tiafoe in what was the biggest win of the American’s life.

At this year’s Australian Open, Nadal suffered the hip injury in the second round against American Mackie McDonald and lost in straight sets.

Now he will miss his annual rite of spring in Paris, which would leave Djokovic without his top rival but with a greater chance to lift the trophy.