Rafael Nadal says he will skip Wimbledon so he can focus on clay court training ahead of the Paris Olympics in July.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and two-time winner at Wimbledon, will participate in the Olympics in the men’s singles tournament, as well as in the men’s doubles competition alongside Carlos Alcaraz, who won the French Open on Sunday.
Both events will be on the clay courts of Roland Garros, like the Nordea Open in Båstad, Sweden, which Nadal said in X On Thursday he will play as part of his Olympic preparation.
During my post-match press conference at Roland Garros I was asked about my summer schedule and I have been practicing on clay ever since. Yesterday it was announced that I will be playing in the Summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympics.
With this goal, we believe that the best thing for my body is not to change surfaces and continue playing on clay until then. It is for this reason that I will miss playing the Wimbledon Championships this year. I am sad that this year I will not be able to experience the great atmosphere of that incredible event that will always be in my heart and be with all the British fans who have always given me great support. I will miss you all.
To prepare for the Olympics, I will play the tournament in Bastad, Sweden. A tournament that I played at the beginning of my career and where I had a great time both on and off the court. I hope to see you all there. Thank you
Nadal, who turned 38 on June 3, has dealt with hip and abdominal injuries for the past two years, which included surgery in 2023. This will likely be his last year on tour and he is seeking a second medal. Olympic singles gold after winning in 2008. She also won doubles gold in 2016.
Nadal won Wimbledon twice in 2008 and 2010 and was runner-up three times.
The Paris Olympic Games begin on July 26 and will run until August 11.