Madrid: Former world number one Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he was pulling out of the French Open due to a hip injury. He expects 2024 to be the last season of his professional career. Nadal, who has won a record 14 titles at the French Open, a clay court Grand Slam tournament, will miss the tournament for the first time since his debut in 2005. Nadal, who turns 37 next month, spoke at a news conference at his tennis academy in Menacor, Spain, about his return and future plans. He said he did not want to set a date for a return to the tennis tour but said Expect it to take a few months. The 22-time Grand Slam champion said, ‘You never know how things will turn out in the future but my intention is that next year will be my last year (on the professional tour).’ The French Open begins on May 28 at Roland Garros in Paris.
Appearing 18 times at the French Open, Nadal has won 112 matches and lost only three times, which is a world record for both men and women at a single Grand Slam. When Nadal won the trophy last year at the age of 36 while battling chronic foot pain, he became the oldest champion in the tournament’s history. Nadal said, ‘I am going to stop, I am not training. I’m not ready for training. There have been many moments of disappointment in these many months and I can deal with the frustration but there comes a time when you have to stop.
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