The 2024 US Open is set to take place without Rafael Nadal, with the Spaniard closing in on retirement.

The 22-time grand slam champion is coming towards the end of an incredible career, and as he winds down, he’s decided to withdraw from the US Open.

The Spaniard recently competed at the Paris Olympics and formed a dream doubles duo with Carlos Alcaraz.

However, Nadal was to have no Olympic glory, as he and Alcaraz failed to make it to a medal match.

And with the last grand slam of the year approaching, Nadal has elected to skip this one, with Mackenzie McDonald taking his place.

Why is Rafael Nadal not playing at the US Open?

Nadal was initially on the entry list for the men’s singles at Flushing Meadows.

He was set to enter as ranked player at No.9, but earlier in August, he announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he wouldn’t be competing.

He said: “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 to all my U.S. fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time.”

So, it’s clear that Nadal doesn’t feel he would be able to do himself justice if he were to compete in this year’s US Open.

Despite withdrawing from the US Open this year, Nadal indicates he will return to America.

This doesn’t mean he will make the US Open next year, but he should play in at least one more US-based tournament before retiring.

Since winning the last of his 22 grand slam singles titles in New York, Nadal has only played at Flushing Meadows once.

A hip injury in 2023 robbed him of that whole season, while a muscle problem in January earlier this year saw him miss the hard-court campaign and Wimbledon.

However, despite all these injuries, Nadal has yet to decide when to retire.

He’s set to play in the Laver Cup in Berlin and might make a decision after that.

But what is clear is that the US Open will miss Nadal’s presence.

Speaking about the Spaniard pulling out, US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster said: “We wish him all the best and look forward to having him back at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.”

Certainly, they and tennis fans around the world will hope to see Nadal back at the US Open one last time, but that is far from guaranteed.

The US Open gets underway in a week. Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff will come to Flushing Meadows as the defending champions while world No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek look to add to their trophy cabinets.

But not everyone will be playing the last Grand Slam of the season, including Rafael Nadal. The four-time US Open champion is one of seven big names who have been forced to miss the tournament this year.

Express Sport takes a look at the key players who will be absent in New York.

Rafael Nadal

The 22-time Grand Slam winner put his name on the entry list but admitted this was just a formality in case he decided to play. Nadal has competed in just seven tournaments this year due to ongoing injury setbacks. He hasn’t played a match away from clay courts since January.

After the Olympics – where he reached the second round in singles and the quarter-final in doubles – he pulled out of the US Open. “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 per cent this time. Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time,” he wrote. Nadal’s next tournament will be the Laver Cup.

Cameron Norrie

The British No. 2 is carrying a forearm injury and has not played since losing to Nadal in Bastad a month ago. He travelled to the Olympics but withdrew hours before his match. Norrie then headed to Cincinnati but was also forced to pull out. He has since announced his US Open withdrawal, saying: “I have been working hard to get my body to full health – unfortunately my forearm injury is not recovering as soon as I would have hoped.”

Nick Kyrgios

The former Wimbledon finalist has played just one singles match since October 2022 after struggling with persistent knee and wrist injuries. He is set to make a comeback at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition tournament this week and will play another exho match in Flushing Meadows during US Open fan week but has not entered the main draw.

Simona Halep

Halep has barely played since having her four-year suspension reduced to nine months. She immediately returned at the Miami Open in March following a successful appeal but lost in the first round.

The former world No. 1 then entered a WTA 125 event in Paris in May but retired during her opening match. She has been sidelined by a knee injury ever since. Halep also failed to receive a wildcard for the French Open and did not apply for a Wimbledon one due to her physical issues.

Marketa Vondrousova

The world No. 18 has been plagued by injuries this summer. She fell and retired with a hip injury during the Berlin Championships in June but prematurely rushed back for her Wimbledon title defence though she lost in the first round. Vondrousova pulled out of the Olympics with a hand injury and has since withdrawn from the US Open.

Rafael Nadal is yet to confirm whether he will retire following his Olympic Games campaign but there is talk he could be set to follow Swiss legend Federer in his plan to call it quits

Rafael Nadal could be set to follow in the footsteps of fellow tennis legend Roger Federer and retire at this year’s Laver Cup.

The Spanish star has yet to confirm whether he will hang up his racket after his Olympic Games doubles tournament run with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz came to an end with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat to Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in Paris. After the loss, Nadal, who also lost to Novak Djokovic in the singles, gave a heartfelt wave to the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd, leading many fans to speculate that it could be the last time they see him grace the court.

However, the ‘King of Clay’ remained tight-lipped about his future plans post-match, sparking rumours that his last professional game could be at the Laver Cup in September due to a gap in his schedule. The Laver Cup holds special significance for Nadal as it was where his close friend and former rival, Federer, also decided to retire.

Nadal even partnered with the Swiss maestro for his final match – a doubles defeat to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. After his Paris defeat, he remained evasive about whether he would travel to the USA to gear up for the US Open, but the 38-year-old tennis legend was non-committal and indicated he needs a breather to plan ahead, reports the Express.

“It looks like not but I’m going to let you know soon. For me now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me it looks difficult,” he said. “We’ll see if I keep playing the normal tour.”

Nadal, who has dominated Roland-Garros like no other player, also dropped a hint that his Olympic outing might have been his swansong while expressing deep love for the venue that witnessed his rise to greatness. “If that’s the last time, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions,” Nadal said.

“They give me the love and the support every single second that I have been on court. It’s super, super special to feel that in particular in this place.”

Federer, who called it quits at the Laver Cup two years prior, shares a close bond with Nadal. Their friendship has also sparked speculation that the Swiss icon could make a sensational return to play alongside Nadal at the tournament, mirroring the warm tribute Nadal paid him.

The event will take place at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany from September 20th to 22nd, and has many fans speculating that it could be the stage for the 22-time Grand Slam winner to end his career. Former world No 1 Andy Roddick also shares this belief.

Speaking on his podcast, he said: “The Laver Cup could be a celebration. Hopefully we’ll see him in the big finals again. I don’t know. It feels like this could be the end.”

Whether Nadal will choose to retire in Berlin is yet to be seen. However, post-Olympics, he openly admitted that he’s no longer playing for results and titles as his career draws to a close. Instead, he’s seeking “experiences” and the emotions that competitive tennis brings him, rather than the glory of victory.

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