Rafael Nadal will not play in this year's US Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, who has suited up in Flushing Meadows just once since winning the last of his four career US Open titles in 2019, was on the tournament's official entry list for men's singles when it was released last month, using an injury-protected ranking of No. 9. But his withdrawal came Wednesday in a statement posted to his official X, formerly Twitter, account.
"I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open a place where I have amazing memories," he wrote. "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 to all my U.S. fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time."
The 38-year-old has played just seven tournaments this year, six on his beloved clay courts, following a 2023 season in which he missed nearly the entire year as a result of a hip problem. A muscle injury suffered at January's Brisbane International led Nadal to miss the spring hard-court season, and he withdrew from Wimbledon in an effort to preserve his body to compete at the Paris Olympics.
In his much-anticipated, and presumably final, Olympic appearance last week, Nadal lost in the second round to Novak Djokovic, the 60th installment of their legendary rivalry, and he and Carlos Alcaraz were beaten in the quarterfinals in doubles.
"Rafa is a tremendous champion and he will be missed during the 2024 US Open by the fans and all those associated with the tournament," US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster said in a statement. "We wish him all the best and look forward to having him back at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center."
Nadal is still expected to join Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev on captain Bjorn Borg's Team Europe at the Laver Cup, which this year will be played from Sept. 20-22 at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Mackenzie McDonald, the first player on the outside looking in at the entry deadline, has been elevated to the main draw as a result of Nadal's withdrawal.
