Rafael Nadal pulls out of this year’s Wimbledon and Tokyo Olympics

 

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has shockingly announced that he will take no part in the upcoming Wimbledon and even in the Tokyo Olympics. He has taken this decision after considering his health as he wants to prolong his career and compete for more tournaments in the future.

Nadal announced his decision on Twitter where he wrote, “Hi all, I have decided not to participate in this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It’s never an easy decision to take, but after listening to my body and discussing it with my team, I understand that it is the right decision.”

“The goal is to prolong my career and continue to do what makes me happy, that is to compete at the highest level and keep fighting for those professional and personal goals at the maximum level of competition,” he added.

The fact that there is only a two week gap between Roland Garros and Wimbledon made it tougher for the Spaniard. His body was not up to the mark and hence he decided to pull out of the Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics.

“The fact that there have only been 2 weeks between RG and Wimbledon didn’t make it easier on my body to recuperate after the always demanding clay-court season. They have been two months of great effort, and the decision I take is focused on looking at the mid and long term.

“Sport prevention of any kind of excess in my body is a very important factor at this stage of my career in order to try to keep fighting for the highest level of competition and titles.”

Nadal also thanked the fans in the United Kingdom and Japan for their continuous support. Lastly, he also pointed out the great experience of participating in an Olympics as he has already featured thrice in the past. He was also a flag bearer for Spain once.

“I want to send a special message to my fans around the world, to those in the United Kingdom and Japan in particular.”

“The Olympic Games always meant a lot and they were always a priority as a sportsperson. I found the spirit that every sportsperson in the world wants to live. I personally had the chance to live 3 of them and had the honour to be the flag bearer for my country,” Nadal concluded.

The Spaniard played a historic Roland Garros semi final against Novak Djokovic. Although he came out second best in that game against the Serb. He lost the game 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 in a match which many feel will go down in the history books.