By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The 22-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the US Open, claiming he would be unable to give 100% effort should he participate.
The 38-year-old Spaniard did not confirm any specific injury or health concerns, but said he had decided not to compete in New York.
In a post on X, he said the US Open, which starts on 19 August, was “a place where I have amazing memories”.
“I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe,” added Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slams – including four US Open titles.
“Best of luck to all for the always amazing US Open! My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin.”
It means Nadal, who has triumphed four times at Flushing Meadows, may well have featured at the last major of his extraordinary career.
Having previously suggested he expects to retire later this year, before the French Open Nadal said it was not “100%” if that would be the last time he played at Roland Garros.
He opted to skip Wimbledon to focus on the Paris Olympics, which was also held at Roland Garros, where he’s won a record 14 French open titles.
Nadal lost in the second round to Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles and reached the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles with Alcaraz last week.