Blast for Nadal, the Majorcan tennis player last week is back in the news: what’s behind his latest decision.
It was one of the most anticipated events of the tennis season, just like the edition two years ago. In fact, a little bit of everyone thought that the 2024 Laver Cup could be Rafa Nadal’s last appearance before hanging up his racket and thus ending his extraordinary career as a professional tennis player.
A farewell “ceremony” in grand style as was that of his friend-rival Roger Federer in 2022 in London, which moved the whole world. Apparently, however, the Majorcan champion has no plans to say goodbye to tennis in Berlin, site of the traveling event that pits a selection of European tennis players and another made up of players from the rest of the world against each other in golf’s Ryder Cup style. Last week, in fact, Nadal announced through his official channels that he will not take part in the tournament scheduled for next weekend (Sept. 20-22) in the German capital.
“I am really disappointed to have to announce that I will not be able to participate in the Laver Cup in Berlin,” were Nadal’s words, ”This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe I have to do what is best for them and right now there are other players who can help the team win. I have so many wonderful and exciting memories of playing in the Laver Cup and looking forward to catching up with my teammates and Bjorn Borg in his last year as captain. I wish Team Europe the best of luck and will be cheering for them from afar. “
Blow to Nadal, no Laver Cup: “But it’s not a drama ”
But what is behind this decision? Perhaps Nadal’s desire is to try to regain his best form ahead of the important dates in 2025? At the moment it is not known.
In 2024, the 22-time Slam champion has played few matches, almost all of them concentrated in the “red” season, including the Paris Olympics last August. The real Nadal, however, we have admired only in flashes, with the Spaniard unable to beat even opponents within reach. In fact, his name also appears among the participants in the “Six Kings Slam,” a tournament-exhibition to be staged in Saudi Arabia in October and in which Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz will also participate. We will see whether Nadal will confirm participation or forgo the Arab trip as well. “Not participating in the Laver Cup is not a drama,” the Majorcan tennis player told Spazio Movistar (words also reported by LiveTennis), ”I haven’t competed for a long time and I’m sure there will be someone who will do it better than me. I’m mentally well, I’m enjoying other things at home. “