Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will not be able to play in next week’s French Open and has signalled his intention for 2024 to be the final year of his career.
During a press conference at his academy in Manacor, the 22-time grand-slam champion revealed the hip injury that troubled him at the Australian Open in January has still not healed properly.
“The first thing is I’m not going to be able to play in Roland Garros,” Nadal said.
“I was even working as much as possible every single day for last four months, they have been very difficult months because we were not able to find a solution to the problems I have in Australia.
“Today I am still in a position where I am not able to feel myself ready to compete at the standards I need to be able to play Roland Garros.
“I am not the guy who will be at Roland Garros just to play.”
Nadal revealed his plan is to give his body time to recover and admitted that could take up to three months, which would rule out his participation from this year’s Wimbledon.
The Spaniard also confirmed his desire to retire at the end of 2024.
“My goal and my ambition is to try and stop and give myself an opportunity to enjoy the next year that will probably be my last year in the professional tour,” the 14-time French Open champion said.
“That is my idea but I can’t say 100 per cent it will be like this but my idea and my motivation is to try to enjoy and say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important for me.
“To enjoy being competitive and something that today is not possible. I believe if I keep going now, I will not be able to make it happen.”
