Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he will not be participating in next week’s Laver Cup in Berlin, making it uncertain when he will return to play.
The Laver Cup, where Roger Federer retired in 2022 after partnering with Nadal in doubles, would have been Nadal’s first event since the Paris Olympics and could have been one of his final appearances.
“I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week,” said the 38-year-old Nadal. “This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.”
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, did not discuss his current physical condition or when he might return to play.
He had already withdrawn from the U.S. Open last month, missing three of the four Grand Slam tournaments in 2024. His last appearance was at the Olympics, where he reached the men’s doubles quarterfinals and lost in the second round of singles to Novak Djokovic.
The Laver Cup, scheduled for Sept. 20-22, is an indoor hard-court tournament featuring Team Europe against Team World, similar to golf’s Ryder Cup. No replacement for Nadal has been announced yet.
