Rafael Nadal undecided on US Open participation after Paris Olympics, says 'I’m going to decide'

Spain’s Rafael Nadal will look to end his career on a high as he gets ready to make his final appearance on the clay courts of Paris during the Olympic Games. While Nadal is ready to get his wish to play on the clay courts in Paris, his participation in the US Open remains in limbo. The 22-time Grand Slam champion is likely to retire after the current season as he struggles with injuries and could also hang his racket after the Paris Olympics.

Nadal unlikely to participate in the US Open

“I needed to book to have the chance to decide after that, that’s as simple as that. Nothing changed for me. I’m going to decide what’s going on after the Olympics,” Nadal said in a press conference on Thursday.

“By the way, I will be playing in the Laver Cup but I am, to be clear, and to not create false expectations, I am not sure at all to be in New York or not. No decision today and the decision will not happen before the end of the Olympics,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion added.

Having struggled with injuries in the last two years, Nadal has faced a tough time on the court having pulled out of the Australian Open and the Wimbledon wherehe was knocked out in the first round of the Roland Garros.

As things stand, Nadal’s full focus is on the Paris Olympics where he will compete in both men’s singles and doubles. He won gold medals in both men’s singles and doubles in 2008 and 2016, respectively. This year he will partner Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s doubles where they will be favourites to win the gold medal.

In case Nadal is unable to participate in the US Open, the French Open first-round defeat to Alexander Zeverev in May will go down as his last appearance in a Grand Slam match. Meanwhile, theAustralian Open 2022 will also go down as his last Grand Slam win having beaten Daniil Medvedev in a marathon five-setter at the Rod Laver Arena.