Rafael Nadal to Skip Wimbledon 2024 to Focus on Final Olympics with Carlos Alcaraz

Adam WellsJune 13, 2024

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 27: Rafa Nadal of Spain reacts in the Men's Singles first round match against Alexander Szerev of Germany on day two of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

VCG/VCG via Getty Images

After being named to the Spanish Olympic tennis team on Wednesday, Rafael Nadal has announced he will not be playing at Wimbledon.

In a post on X, Nadal said he is skipping Wimbledon because "the best thing for my body" is to keep playing on clay surfaces leading up to his final Olympics where he will be part of a doubles team with French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Rafa Nadal @RafaelNadal
During my post match press conference at Roland Garros I was asked about my summer calendar and since then I have been practicing on clay. It was announced yesterday that I will play at the summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympics.

Rafa Nadal @RafaelNadal
In order to prepare for the Olympic Games, I will play the tournament in Bastad, Sweden. A tournament that I played earlier in my career and where I had a great time both on and off the court. Looking forward to seeing you all there.<br>Thank you

Nadal has avoided using the word "retirement" when asked, but he is strongly indicating that this year will be his last on the ATP Tour.

Speaking to reporters before the start of the French Open, Nadal said there was a "big, big chance" this year was "going to be my last Roland Garros."

After losing his first-round match to Alexander Zverev, Nadal explained he would like to keep playing but it depends on how his body is feeling.

"I don't know for how long, but I want to keep going for a while, because they are having fun, I am having fun, and I need to see, I need to give myself a little bit longer chances to see if my level is growing and my body is holding, and then let's make a decision," he said.

Nadal also said at that time he didn't think playing at Wimbledon was a "positive idea right now."

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

The Spanish tennis federation announced on Wednesday that Nadal and Alcaraz would be playing in doubles competition together at the Paris Games. Pablo Carreño Busta, Alejandro Davidovich and Marcel Granollers were also named to Spain's men's tennis team for the Olympics.

Wimbledon could be the first Grand Slam event without at least one of Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic since 2002. Djokovic's status for the tournament has not been confirmed after he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus suffered during the French Open.

Nadal, 38, will be competing at the Olympics for the fourth time in his storied career. He won his first gold medal in singles competition at the 2008 Games in Beijing. He and Marc López won doubles gold in 2016.

The men's tennis competition at the 2024 Olympics runs from July 27 to Aug. 4.

B/R Recommends