Rafael Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, saying that he chose after consultations with his own group in an effort to extend his career.
The 35-year-old Spaniard reported the gap between the French Open and Wimbledon — that begins on June 28 — wasn’t enough time to allow him to recover following a demanding clay-court period in which he played in five championships.
“I’ve decided to not take part at this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” Nadal said on Twitter.
Hi , I’ve decided to not take part at this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
…
https://t.co/SSvubBLxFn— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) 1623929467000″It is never a simple choice to take after listening to my own entire body and talking about it with my own group I know it is the perfect choice.” I need to send a particular message for my fans across the globe, to people in the uk and Japan particularly.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) 1623929469000Nadal, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, performed in the Monte Carlo Masters, Barcelona, Madrid Pros and Rome Masters ahead of the French Open.
Even the Olympic Games always meant a great deal and they have been always a priority because a Sports individual, I discovered the soul that ev…
https://t.co/tsYTFyE79K— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) 1623929469000Nadal, also a listing 13-time winner at Roland Garros, produced a rush for this season’s semi-finals and has been knocked out by eventual winner Novak Djokovic at a four-set thriller — just his third reduction on the clay in which he’s won 105 matches.
“The simple fact there has only been 2 weeks involving RG (Roland garros) and Wimbledon, did not make it easier in my body to recover following the demanding clay court season,” he further added.
“They’ve been two weeks of amazing work and the conclusion I choose is concentrated on taking a look at the long-term and mid.” Nadal has won 2 gold medals at the Olympics — a singles title in 2008 in Beijing along with a doubles gold in Rio 2016.
“The Olympic Games always meant a great deal and they have been always a priority because a sports man, I discovered the soul that each sports person on earth would like to reside,” Nadal said.
“I had the opportunity to live them had the honor to be the flag bearer for the nation.”