Rafael Nadal has said he will not be taking part in Wimbledon or the Tokyo Olympics this year. He announced the move on social media, saying it was not “an easy decision” but “after listening to my body” and discussing it with his team he said it was “the right decision”.
“Hi all, not something I like to write but wanted to inform you guys that I have decided not to participate at this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
It’s never an easy decision to take but after listening to my body and discuss it with my team I understand that it is the right decision with the goal to prolong my career and continue to do what makes me happy, that is to compete at the highest level and keep fighting for those professional and personal goals at he maximum level of competition.
The fact that there has only been two weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, didn’t make it easier on my body to recuperate after the always demanding clay court season. They have been two months of great effort and the decision I take is focused looking at the mid and long term.
Sport prevention of any kind of excess in my body is a very important factor at this stage of my career in order to try to keep fighting for the highest level of competition and titles.
I want to send a special message to my fans around the world, to those in the United Kingdom and Japan in particular. The Olympic Games have always meant a lot in my career and they were always a priority as a Sports person and fan, I found the spirit that every sports person in the world wants to live at least once in their career. I personally had the chance to live 3 of them and even had the honor to be the flag bearer for my country.“
Well said and absolutely the right decision!!! It is hard to disappoint yourself ( and others who expect too much)when you work so hard to be the excellent competitor you are and the body and life say Nope!!!
I wish you will just enjoy all you have done,do what you love, go sailing and breathe!! You are , my favorite soul on the court and off!!
VAMOS to living!!!
Weak. Especially mentally. A true champion wants it all. If he win the USO or the AO I will take it back.
You must be the only person on planet Earth that would call Rafa Nadal weak ! And even if he never wins another tournament in his career….NO ONE, either male or female will ever win 13 Grand Slams in the same tournament EVER !!! In future, if you don’t have something good to say, keep it to yourself.
jason b,
There is a lot you can critize nadal for but not for being weak. I think its a right decision for nadal to skip wimbeldon and olympics.
Hopefully he will use this periode by taking some time off from tennis and doing indeed other things like fishing, swimming or golfing.
But futhermore I hope he used this period to deal with the problems he is having especially mental problems like dealing with nerves, stress and pressure in tense moments and he will come back in august for the hardcourt season and indoor season more motivated and pysically and mentally recharged
jason b,
are you kidding me the last thing you can critize nadal for is being weak. I think that he has made the right decision if you want to compete for the wimbeldon title you need to be physically and mentally prepared if that is not the case then no need to go there and then get beaten in the first week.
I hope that nadal will take some time off tennis and do other things he like such as fishing, golfing or swimming at the beach and spending time with family,
Also dealing with the mentally and emotionally issues he is facing since the final of the australian open 2012. He is dealing with nerves and stress in tight matches and is having problems with getting older.
He is talking very negative about his age. Body and Mind is one if you have negative feelings about age it will effect your body.
I hope he will return fully recharged for the hardcourt season and indoor season.
As for Wimbeldon I will cheer every match for his opponent hopefully he will not win his 20th grandslam and neither roger so it will be decided in new york
Rafa is anything but weak. He put himself out there time and again for our pleasure, bringing us so much happiness over the years.
Like Rafa himself says, there is more to life than tennis. If you think he is weak, look within yourself my guy.
Have you nothing better to do than insult Rafa? To describe him as weak is totally unwarranted. Rafa has won 20 Majors and 36 Masters; both records, and two Olympic Golds. I could go on but I don’t need to because Rafa fans know that Rafa is indeed a True Champion many times over and a True Gentleman. You are obviously neither. Take your insults elsewhere.
Jason B, what are you doing here on this site. Wolf in sheep’s clothing? Absolutely sure you’re not a true fan. Why don’t you take a hike or fly a kite intead.
Time and time again, Rafa has proven himself strong on all levels – spiritually most importantly.
Fiona Cristobal,
Jason B is entitled to his opinion. He is a fan but a critical one like I am. Deal with it we are not going anywhere you dont owe this website
There is a difference between constructive criticism and insults. It is the insults that all genuine Rafa fans take exception to.
I have no idea whether Jason B is a Rafa fan (though I have my doubts) and neither does Marijnt, because submitting comments on this site is not proof that the writer is a Rafa fan.
This site is dedicated to “rafaelnadalfans”. Tennis fans who are not Rafa fans can and should go elsewhere.
Take care Rafa! See you again whenever you are ready.❤️
Totally understand Rafa and of course can’t wait to see you play again… Take care and enjoy the summer and your family. Will always be here waiting.
Oh Rafa very sad news about your withdrawal from Wimbledon but have a good rest and look forward very much to seeing you play very soon. Wimbledon won’t be the same without you but all of us will be counting the days to your return to action. Take care.
Love from one of your greatest fans in England!
Jo
I think the timing’s difficult for everyone this year – the French Open was delayed due to lockdown, and there’s very little time between Wimbledon, the Olympics and the North American hard court season, on three different surfaces and three different continents, and players will presumably have to arrive early for all 3 because of quarantine/bubble issues. I’m very sorry that we won’t see him at Wimbledon or the Olympics, but I’d rather he did this than pull out halfway through, like Roger did in Paris.
I am so glad you have made this decision. As much as I love to watch you play, it is YOU, the person I love more. Rest, enjoy your family, help the young ones at your academy; just be the special, kind, honorable man you have always been. I not only love you, I respect you. You deserve the title of the best athlete in the world. Maybe you and Maria can get busy and give the world a tiny Rafa.
The USOpen will play with FULL CAPACITY just announced by the USTA.
Was so hoping this wouldn’t happen. This is the first time I’m kinda unsupportive of Rafa’s decision. At this stage in his career, he’s playing for history and every single GS matters. Not sure if just focusing on clay court season every year is the right strategy. Non-RG Grand Slams would go a long way in building Rafa’s case as GOAT. It’s been ages since Rafa last won Wimbledon and I thought he would be extra motivated this year after the RG loss. But I guess Rafa meant it when he said he doesn’t care much about who ends up with most GS. Of the Big 3, Novak desires it the most and he’s surely getting there now. Sadly he is the best placed person now, physically and motivationally, to take the GS race.
I’m sorry to hear you don’t support his decision.. And for the record he didn’t ” just” focus on clay this year…. Rafa went to play at the AO and he unfortunately got hurt with a back problem during practice…. He did play the event but as a result of the injury had to cancel Rotterdam, Miami, Acapulco etc…. As his injury faded he began to practice for the upcoming clay court swing which we know he is so successful with but after being out on the road 2 months and RG being pushed back a week it left very little recovery time to get ready for Wimbledon….He’s not a kid anymore…. You might find it disappointing and say “hey , he should play”…. and you’re entitled to your opinion but its empty…
There is no one like Rafa Nadal…. He is the ultimate warrior in the game of tennis…. He’s a competitor and you know that…. But he’s not stupid… If Rafa thought he was remotely ready…. if he thought he had a chance and his body could take it…he”d be playing Wimbledon…. He’s not going in there to get booted in the 3rd round putting his body in jeopardy for another injury…. He’s a competitor who wants to WIN….
Like you….many people are focused on the Grand Slam race and the GOAT story! Of course I want Rafa to win as many GS as possible but not if he thinks he’s not ready for a tournament for whatever his reasons are. And to say ND wants it more, has more desire…. that’s baloney….. Novak has a need to be loved… I have never seen a player in my life that is the #1 player in the world and at every tournament he’s always flapping his arms with his palms up to get the crowd to cheer for him…He’s always asking for the love…. And at those same tournaments he’s always breaking his racket…. banging it on the court…. he injured a linesman last year…. This year at RG he kicks an advertisement and screams like a maniac and this is who who say might be the GOAT? Maybe he will have the numbers…. but he will never be the GOAT…. he is not the MIchael Jordan of basketball nor the Tom Brady of Football ….
Rafa’s career is not over…. Hopefully he will grace us with his presence at the US Open and methodically beat everyone in his path…. I was at the final in 2019 when he made that round the net shot against Med … I thought I would go out of my mind….
Have some faith in him Abhishek…. He’s making the right decision even if its disappointing to us…
Beautifully said!
I agree Mac. Well said Marileena. Djokovic does indeed have a desperate need to be loved. For years he complained about the fact that he wasn’t as popular as Rafa and Roger. He just couldn’t understand it. He will never be as popular as Rafa, even if he goes on to win more tournaments. People just don’t like his conduct on court, all that whining to his box and breaking of racquets etc., when things are not going his way. He sets such a bad example to the rest of the Tour and to all the youngsters who watch his matches and his arm raising at the end when he has won is just dreadful. Way over the top. Someone in his camp should tell him. (I suspect they are afraid to!) His problem is his EGO.
Ginagigi: 👍👍👍 re your post at 2:56pm.
Well said Marileena. And I agree about what you say about Djoker; never quite warmed up to him thanks to his antics on court. I wanted to see him win Wimbledon so bad; I don’t think the next-gen are there yet on grass so I thought it would be nice opportunity for Rafa to come back strong and shrug off his RG defeat.
Keeping my fingers crossed that Rafa goes up a gear or two on coming back and takes the US Open. Personally, I feel Rafa needs to get a little bit lighter so there’s less impact on his body and do more damage with his serve and backlhand. Vamos!
Was so hoping this wouldn’t happen. This is the first time I’m kinda unsupportive of Rafa’s decision. At this stage in his career, he’s playing for history and every single GS matters. Not sure if just focusing on clay court season every year is the right strategy. Non-RG Grand Slams would go a long way in building Rafa’s case as GOAT. It’s been ages since Rafa last won Wimbledon and I thought he would be extra motivated this year after the RG loss. But I guess Rafa meant it when he said he doesn’t care much about who ends up with most GS. Of the Big 3, Novak desires it the most and he’s getting there now. Sadly he is the best placed person now, physically and motivationally, to take the GS race.
You’ve taken the best decision my love ad usual!! Take care of your body..tanti baci ciao Eva
Message to Mimi Lau: If your Wimbledon tour doesn’t happen this year it might work out for the best as you said your tickets would roll over into 2022. You might get to watch Rafa there after all.
Prospects are looking better for Toronto this year. If so I will be attending. Hoping you might come up.
Hi Pauline,
Thank you!🙏❤️ I should find out around the 21st or so. Things don’t look good, but I am not disappointed since Rafa won’t be there. Yes, I was told my deposit will roll over to 2022, but I will get a refund for the rest.
If Rafa decided to defend his title, I am pretty sure I will come. Maybe we can meet each other?
Yes absolutely Mimi-if Rafa confirms that he will play Toronto and our government allows fans then it would be a delight to meet. As we get closer to the date the details will be finalized. We will let each other know our section, seat number etc. As they say: stay tuned!
😁
Sounds good Pauline!👍😁🤞
So sad to hear your not playing at Wimbledon, you will be truly missed. Take care and keep healthyxx
Very disappointed😭 take rest and come back as soon as possible. Vamos Rafa❤️
We are encouraged that you are making the right decision for your physical and mental health. Tennis
Is deficient without your presence. So, recuperate and recharge-we look forward to your return to
court-all the best-stay healthy and safe. 💪👏👍🤛🙏🎾❤️
OMG, such a sad new! 😏😐😕. But of course we understand it, we respect it and even support each decision you take, our dear CHAMP, absolutely!!. No one knows better than you your body and what you need and must do. The thing is it was weard that you haven’t play in any of the grass tournaments like: Halle, Nottingham or Queens. We were waiting and intrigued for any news from you, actually I thought you were practicing in Spain to be ready for Wimbledon…
We all know how important is for you to keep competing, and specially to do it in Wimbledon or the Olympic Games, all of us, your Spanish supporters/fans know very well🙂, how you feel about that, when you were carrying our Spanish flag, so nice, unforgettable and beautiful moment 😀.
Always WITH YOU RAFA, whatever you do, whatever you decide, WE ARE WITH YOU, for the good and for the bad 🙏🏻😌.
Take care of yourself, your knees and enjoy wirh Family and Friends, and please, come back soon: YOU HAVE STILL TOURNAMENTS, OPENS, GRAND SLAMS TO WIN, and YOU WILL, even some old/retired players keep talking and talking.
You have still lots of things to show and good news to give us😉.
Be happy and look after yourself and your wellbeing. We love you❤️ Rafa Vamosssssss, our ‘Ranging Bull’ forever 🐂💥💫🌠⚡🌀🌊🌈🔥🔥
By the way, we will miss you a lot Rafa. But once more: you and your wellbeing first 🙏🏻😌. Pity Wimbledon and Olympic Games will not be the same without you, never…I had the hope to get a picture with you finally in Wimbledon and one signature. It’s OK, next year😉
Cuidate y prepárate a tope para la temporada de pista dura💪🏻💪🏻. Ejemplo e inspiración para todos nosotros.
Volverás fuerte como siempre, te queda mucho que dar querido amigo 💚
He did indicate he may skip Wimbledon when he said there were only two weeks between R-G and Wimbledon, though I did hope. He said after three days he wasn’t ready to start training.
Japan is no surprise.
Stay well Rafa and come back the Champion that you have always been and always will be.
Please get some well deserved rest, Rafa. Your followers love you.💘 See you back when you are ready!
Great decision Rafa .. stay safe. Hugs xoxo
DO WHATS BEST FOR YOU MY FRIEND WE WILL WAIT FOR YOUR HEALTY RETURN. ALWAYS YOUR #1 FAN LOVE YOU CHAMP