Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Roland Garros due to injury and will miss the event for the first time since 2004.
The Spaniard held a press conference at his Academy in Mallorca where he revealed that the injury that he has had since the Australian Open has not yet healed.
It means Nadal will not play the event for the first time since 2004 with Nadal having won a record-breaking 14 Roland Garros titles there.
Speaking at the event Nadal claimed that he won’t be playing tennis for the next few months, “I won’t be able to play at Roland Garros. This decision was taken by my body. I won’t be playing for the next few months,” Nadal told the press.
“Last four months have been difficult. Not going to be able to play at Roland Garros. Real situation was that … after pandemic, body was not able to hold practices and diary work. Too many problems. Having to stop due to physical issues. My decision is to stop. Stop for a while. may be month and half maybe four months.
“I don’t want to put myself in a position to say one thing and to do another thing. My idea is that next year is my last day in professional tennis. I want to be competitive. The chances are higher if I stop now.”
It means that Nadal will also drop outside the world’s top 100 for the first time in two decades.
In his press conference, Nadal also said that he plans to come back later this year and plans to play next season which should be the last year of his career.
“I hope to be ready by the Davis Cup, and I want to play in 2024, which will be the last year of my career. I want to be able to enjoy it and to say goodbye to tournaments that I want,” Nadal added.
It means that Roland Garros will have a new men’s singles champion with the second Grand Slam of the year starting on the 28th of May.
