Rafael Nadal to Miss 2024 Laver Cup: Will Support Team Europe “From Afar”
Rafael Nadal, the tennis legend and former world No. 1, has officially withdrawn from the 2024 Laver Cup, leaving fans and Team Europe saddened.
Just one week before the competition gets underway in Berlin, the news was made on Thursday. Nadal stated that other players must stand up and guide the squad to win despite his prior intentions to play.
Rafael Nadal withdrew from the team competition scheduled for next week in Berlin, according to a Laver Cup announcement on Thursday. He also decided not to compete for Team Europe in 2024.
Nadal released a statement saying, “I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week.”
“This is a team competition, and in order to truly support Team Europe, I must act in their best interests. Currently, there are other players who can contribute to the team’s victory.
“Playing Laver Cup brought back so many wonderful, sentimental memories for me, and I was eager to spend time with my teammates and Bjorn during his last year as captain.” I will be rooting for Team Europe from a distance and sending them my best wishes.
When Nadal was last seen on the court at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, he was losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the second round of the men’s singles and to Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles.
Nadal had stated his intention to compete in the Laver Cup back in April. As recently as August, when he withdrew from this year’s US Open, the 22-time Grand Slam champion had intended to play in the Laver Cup, which was probably going to be his last tournament of the 2024 season.
The former world No. 1 had originally intended for 2024 to be his last season of competition, but he later changed his mind at the Olympics, casting doubt on his future plans and opening the possibility of a 2025 comeback.
Should I state that this is unquestionably my final Roland Garros? In May, following his first-round exit from Paris, he remarked, “Sorry, but I will not.” “Because I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
The current members of Team Europe’s lineup, which is captained by Bjorn Borg, are Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The team has not yet announced a substitute for Rafael Nadal.
Tommy Paul and Alex de Minaur would not be competing in the event, Team World had earlier confirmed on Thursday. Along with players Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Alejandro Tabilo, and captain John McEnroe, Francisco Cerundolo and Thanasi Kokkinakkis would join the team.
The Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany will host the 2024 Laver Cup from September 20–22.
