Rafael Nadal pulls out of US Open

Four-time U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday, announcing on social media that he didn't believe he could give full effort later this summer in New York.

The 38-year-old Spaniard, a 22-time major champion, is coming off of playing singles and doubles at the Paris Olympics and failing to add to his two career gold medals.

Nadal said he has "amazing memories" of the U.S. Open, where play begins Aug. 26. He captured singles titles in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019.

"I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe (Arthur Ashe Stadium), but I don't think I would be able to give my 100% this time," he wrote. "Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time."

Hi all, writing today to let you guys know that I have decided not to compete at this year's US Open a place where I have amazing memories.
I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don't think I would be able to give my 100% this time.
Thanks... pic.twitter.com/FluGRWUzIp

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 7, 2024

While retirement talk has surrounded Nadal -- he will miss his third Grand Slam tournament this year -- he wrote that he will compete at the Laver Cup on Sept. 20-22 in Berlin, Germany.

Nadal has played a limited schedule after coming back from hip surgery in 2023 and dealing with abdominal muscle issues this year.

After losing his second-round singles match against eventual gold medalist Novak Djokovic of Serbia in Paris, Nadal said he will wait until after the Olympics to discuss his retirement plans.

"I cannot spend every day thinking about whether it is the last or not, because otherwise it is impossible," he said.

"I have the doubles left. It is not time to get down," added Nadal, who partnered with Carlos Alcaraz but fell in the doubles quarterfinals. "When I finish here, I will make the decisions I have to make here."

Nadal has skipped the U.S. Open in four of the past five years -- he reached the fourth round in 2022, losing to Frances Tiafoe.

This year, an injury led him to sit out the Australian Open in January, then in May he lost in the first round at the French Open, where is a 14-time champion. He decided to skip the grass courts of Wimbledon to focus on the clay at Roland Garros for the Olympics.

--Field Level Media