Rafael Nadal withdrew from the U.S. Open on Wednesday, making it the third Grand Slam tournament he has missed this year and raising more questions about his tennis future at 38.
Nadal posted on social media that he will miss “those electric and special night sessions” in Arthur Ashe Stadium, “but I don’t think I would be able to give my 100% this time.”
He mentioned that his next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin from Sept. 20-22. In 2022, Nadal played a doubles match with Roger Federer at this event, which was Federer’s final appearance before he retired.
Nadal’s announcement was expected. Although he was listed on the official entry list for New York last month, it was mainly a formality and did not stop him from withdrawing before the competition starts on Aug. 26.
Nadal hinted at this decision a week ago after his participation in the 2024 Olympics for Spain ended with a quarterfinal loss in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. He had previously lost in the second round of singles to rival Novak Djokovic, who won the men’s gold medal.
When asked about playing at the U.S. Open, Nadal hesitated before answering.
“Looks like not. But I’m going to let you know soon,” he said. “For me, now, I can’t give you a clear answer. I need some time, but for me, (it) looks difficult.”
Nadal has not said anything about retiring, but given his age and recent injury history—including hip surgery in 2023 and abdominal muscle issues in 2024 that limited his matches the past two seasons—it seems likely he may not have much left in him.
He is a four-time U.S. Open champion, winning in 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019. However, missing this year means he will have skipped the hard-court tournament in four of the past five years, with the exception being 2022, when he lost in the fourth round to Frances Tiafoe.
