Rafael Nadal pulls out of French Open, expects 2024 to be his final year on the tour

Veteran Rafael Nadal has decided to pull out of the upcoming French Open because of the lingering hip injury, that he had suffered in the Australia Open earlier in the year. The Spaniard also confirmed he will be taking an indefinite break from the game in order to recover fully.

Nadal, who is a 14-time Roland Garros champion, also revealed that 2024 season could well be his last season on the tour.

“You can´t keep demanding more and more from your body, because there comes a moment when your body raises a white flag,” said Nadal, in a press conference carried live in Spain by the state broadcaster’s 24-hour sports network. “Even though your head wants to keep going, your body says this is as far it goes.”

Nadal didn’t disclose when he will make a return to the tour in the ongoing season and wants to take his time. The veteran admitted that it has been tough going for him because of a spate of injuries since Covid-19. Nadal will miss French Open after 18 years.

“You never know how things will turn out,” said Nadal, who answered questions in English, Spanish and the local Mallorcan dialect, “but my intention is that next year will be my last year.”

The 22-time Grand Slam champion wants to finish his career on a high and play the important tournaments in 2024.

“I don’t deserve,” Nadal said, “to end my career like this, in a press conference.”

“I am going to stop, I am not going to train. I am not ready to train,” Nadal said, alternating answers in Spanish and English. “These have been many months with many moments of frustration, and I can handle frustration, but there comes a time when you have to stop.”

The Spaniard suffered a hip injury while playing against America’s Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Happy Slam.

Meanwhile, Nadal has a stupendous record of 112-3 while playing at Roland Garros. The second Slam of the year will begin on May 28 in Paris.