Nadal ruled out of French Open, sets sights on retirement
Rafael Nadal has announced that he will miss the 2023 French Open due to a hip injury.
It marks the first time in 19 years the 36-year-old Spaniard will be ruled out of Roland Garros where he has claimed victory a record 14 times, including last year’s final against Casper Ruud.
He is the most dominant player in the history of the tournament with 112 wins in 115 matches on the clay surface of Roland Garros.
Nadal also hinted he plans to retire from tennis next year.
“I didn’t make the decision, my body made the decision. To play Roland Garros is impossible,” Nadal said at a press conference at his tennis academy in his hometown of Mallorca.
“Next year will probably be my last year, that is my idea. If I keep going now, I won’t be able to make it happen.”
Rafael Nadal has announced that he will miss the #FrenchOpen due to a hip injury.
It marks the first time in 19 years the Spaniard will miss the Grand Slam he has won a record 14 times. Nadal also said he plans to retire after the 2024 season.#Afrosport #Tennis #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/DBRnmiARSA
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) May 18, 2023
Nadal has not played since the Australian Open in January and while he has been practising in recent weeks, it is not enough for him to be fit for the second Grand Slam of the year that runs from May 28 to June 11.
“I was working as much as possible every single day for the past four months and they have been difficult because we were not been able to find the solution to the problems I had in Australia,” Nadal stated.
“I’m still in the position where I am not able to feel ready to compete at the standards I need to be to play at Roland Garros.
“I am not the guy who will be at Roland Garros just try to be there and, in a position, where I don’t like to be.”
Nadal is also a doubt for Wimbledon, the third tennis major of the year. The Mallorca native holds the joint record of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles alongside rival Novak Djokovic.
