Nadal withdraws from Roland Garros due to a lingering hip injury

Rafael Nadal has announced at a press conference that he will have to pass up his favorite Grand Slam Roland Garros. Nadal has already won this tournament 14 times, but has now not recovered in time from a lingering hip injury he sustained during the Australian Open in January. The 36-year-old Nadal has not taken action since then and has withdrawn from the clay tournaments in Barcelona, ​​Madrid and Rome in recent weeks.

Outside the top 100

It means that after 18 participations in a row and no less than 14 times the final victory, Nadal will therefore not participate in the Grand Slam of Paris. In addition, it also affects his global ranking, as the king of clay will fall outside the top hundred for the first time in over 20 years.

Nadal is not giving up hope

However, the Spaniard has not yet given up hope of a comeback, despite all the physical setbacks. “I don’t know when I will return. Maybe in two, three, four months? I really do not know. I cannot predict the future and now follow my gut.” He will most likely play for the last time on the tennis court in 2024, Nadal also said at the specially arranged press conference. “I am stopping now for the time being to give myself the opportunity to enjoy and be competitive at least next year. That is not possible now.”

Olympic medal

If Nadal manages to be fit enough again, he could go for his fifteenth title at Roland Garros in 2024 and possibly even for a second gold medal at the Olympic Games, something he also succeeded in 2008. These Games will be held in Paris and the tennis tournament will also be played on the clay courts of Roland Garros. However, Nadal does not want to commit himself to participating in this, which is understandable after all the setbacks. “It is difficult for me to predict what my physical condition will be like then. I think it is better to keep all options open, although of course I would like to participate in the Games.”

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