Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has announced he will not be playing in the Laver Cup next week in Berlin. The news was shared by tournament organizers on Thursday.
The Laver Cup is a competition where a European team faces off against a World team, with Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe serving as the captains for both squads, just as they have in all the previous six events. Nadal had already withdrawn from the US Open in August, saying he didn’t feel ready to perform at his highest level.
“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 Spanish tennis great in the statement.
“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 has missed most of the 2023 season due to a hip injury. He has only played in one of the last seven Grand Slam tournaments, losing in the first round of the French Open this year.
A replacement for Nadal on Team Europe will be announced soon, joining stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. The Laver Cup is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 22.
“I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn in his final year as captain,” said Nadal.
Nadal’s next scheduled appearance is at the Six Kings Slam, an elite tennis exhibition in Saudi Arabia, set for October.
