Rafael Nadal Withdraws from Team Europe at the 2024 Laver Cup, Expressing His ‘Deep Disappointment’ and Leaving Fans Wondering About His Return .Giang

Rafael Nadal’s 2024 season could be over after withdrawing from Team Europe at the Laver Cup that will begin on Sept. 20.

In a statement released on Thursday, Nadal explained he is “really disappointed” not to participate and his decision stemmed from needing “to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.”

There is no indication that Nadal suffered an injury. The 38-year-old last played singles and doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics. He lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round of the men’s singles competition in Paris.

Nadal and Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinal before Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram ended their run.

A hip injury limited Nadal to just one tournament during the 2023 season. He returned to action in December at the Brisbane International, but a muscle injury sidelined him for another four months.

Following his first-round loss to Alexander Zverev at the French Open, Nadal didn’t provide a direct answer when asked about the possibility of retiring.

“Don’t assume that,” Nadal told reporters. “It’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros. But if I have to tell you it’s 100 percent my last Roland Garros? Sorry, but I will not because I cannot predict what’s going on.”

Nadal was going to be on Team Europe with Alcaraz, Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas. A replacement has not yet been added to the team.

This was going to be Nadal’s fourth appearance in the Laver Cup. He previously played at the inaugural event in 2017, 2019 and 2022, posting a combined record of 3-4 in singles and doubles matches.

Team World will be comprised of Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Francisco Cerundolo, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Alejandro Tabilo.

The European team won the first four Laver Cup titles, but Team World has taken home the crown in each of the past two years. The 13-2 score last year was the second-largest margin of victory in the history of the event (14-1 in 2021).

This year’s Laver Cup will be played from Sept. 20-22 at Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.