Rafael Nadal has announced on social media that he will forgo Wimbledon in July to prepare for the Olympic Games in Paris, which will be played on Roland Garros’ clay courts.
Nadal, a record 14-time French Open winner, has been far from his best since returning from injury, and he was knocked out in the first round this year at Roland Garros, losing in straight sets to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev.
The 38-year-old missed nearly all of 2023 due to a hip ailment, and his recovery earlier this year was stymied by a muscle rupture before minor problems hampered his preparation for the clay-court major.
“During my post-match news conference at Roland Garros, I was questioned about my summer plans, and since then I’ve been working on clay. “It was announced yesterday that I will play at the summer Olympics in Paris, my final Olympics,” Nadal wrote.
“With this goal, we believe that it is preferable for my body not to change surfaces and to continue playing on clay until then. This is why I will be unable to compete in this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
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“I am disappointed that I will not be able to experience the wonderful ambiance of that unforgettable event this year, as well as to be with all of the British fans who have always been so supportive. “I’ll miss you all.”
Nadal, who won the Olympic singles gold medal in 2008 and the doubles gold in 2016, will compete in the doubles at the Olympics alongside freshly crowned French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion, said he would continue his preparations for the Olympics by competing in the ATP 250 clay-court event in Bastad, Sweden, beginning July 15.
The Paris Olympics run from July 26 to August 11.