Rafael Nadal has cast further doubt on his participation at Wimbledon this year, saying it is “not a good idea” as he prioritizes the Summer Olympics on the Roland Garros clay.
Focus on Paris 2024
Rafael Nadal, the 22-time grand slam champion, was eliminated in the first round of the French Open by Alexander Zverev. After his unexpected defeat, Nadal stated that Paris 2024 is now the “main goal” for the summer. “It looks difficult,” Nadal said of his Wimbledon prospects. “Honestly, I can’t confirm what’s going on, but now it looks difficult to transition to grass, having the Olympics again on clay.”
Challenging Surface Transition
The transition from clay to grass is the most challenging surface change on the tennis calendar. Wimbledon starts on July 1, with the Olympic tennis tournament beginning less than a month later on July 27. Nadal emphasized the challenges this transition presents, saying, “I don’t think it’s going to be smart after all the things that happened to my body now to make a big transition to a completely different surface and then come back immediately to clay. Today, I feel that’s not a good idea.”
Physical Struggles and Future Plans
Nadal, who has struggled with injuries since the 2023 Australian Open, was forced to miss most of last season to prepare his body for one final year on tour. After announcing that 2024 would likely be his last year in professional tennis, Nadal opened the door to a possible return in 2025 after his defeat to Zverev, saying he is “not 100% sure” the loss was his final appearance at Roland Garros.
The Uncertain Path Ahead
Given his injury struggles over the last 18 months, Nadal admitted that he is unlikely to be even if he prioritizes being fit for the Olympics. “I cannot tell you if I will be or won’t be in one month and a half,” Nadal said. “My body has been a jungle for two years, and you don’t know what to expect. I woke up one day and found a snake biting me; another day, a tiger.”
Preparing for the Olympics
Despite his physical challenges, Nadal remains hopeful about his Olympic prospects. “The dynamic has been positive the last few weeks. I felt ready. I think tomorrow I will be ready to play again if I had to – but I will not have to,” he laughed. “I need to clear my ideas now and see the new calendar to prepare for the Olympics.”
Eyes on Paris 2024
Nadal’s primary focus is now on preparing for the Paris Olympics. “My main goal now is to play the Olympics that are going to be here, so I need to prepare myself properly: to try to arrive here healthy and well prepared – and then let’s see.”
