Rafael Nadal says he will skip Wimbledon so he can focus on clay training ahead of the Paris Olympics in July.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and two-time winner at Wimbledon, will compete in the men’s singles at the Olympics, as well as men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, who won the French Open on Sunday.
Both events will take place on the clay courts of Roland Garros, as will the Nordea Open in Båstad, Sweden, where Nadal said 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 calendar and I have been practicing on clay ever since. Yesterday it was announced that I will play in the Summer Olympics in Paris, my last Olympic Games.
For this purpose, we feel that it is best for my body not to change surfaces and to continue playing on clay until then. It is for this reason that I will miss playing at the Wimbledon Championships this year. I am sad that this year I cannot experience the great atmosphere of that great event that will always remain in my heart, and that I cannot be with all the British fans who have always given me great support. I will miss you all.
In preparation for the Olympic Games, I will play the tournament in Bastad, Sweden. A tournament that I played earlier in my career and where I had a great time both on and off the field. I look forward to seeing you all there. Thank you
Nadal, who turned 38 on June 3, has dealt with injuries to his hip and abdomen over the past two years, including surgery in 2023. This will likely be his last year on tour and he will then look for a second Olympic gold medal in singles. winning in 2008. He also won double gold in 2016.
Nadal won Wimbledon twice in 2008 and 2010 and finished second three times.
The Olympic Games in Paris start on July 26 and run until August 11.
