Why Rafa Nadal is not playing at Wimbledon this year as Spaniard hopes to star at 2024 Paris Olympics
Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal is not competing at the All England Club this summer as he focuses on being fit for the upcoming Olympics.
The 137th edition of Wimbledon is up and running as tennis’ best compete for glory on the famous courts.
But 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon victor Nadal will be sorely missed at the tournament this year.
The Spaniard has struggled with injuries yet again this year and confirmed his decision to miss Wimbledon after his first-round defeat at the French Open recently.
Nadal, known as the ‘King of Clay’, is instead eager to play at the 2024 Paris Olympics with the tennis to take place at the famous Roland Garros at the end of the month.
The 38-year-old has claimed Grand Slam glory in Paris an incredible 14 times and so, has prioritised being fit to take to the French clay courts once again.
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Nadal said: "With this goal, we believe that the best for my body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then.
“It’s for this reason that I will miss playing at the Championships this year at Wimbledon.
"I am saddened not to be able to live this year the great atmosphere of that amazing event that will always be in my heart, and be with all the British fans that always gave me great support.
“I will miss you all."
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Nadal did not play at Wimbledon last year either and was forced to withdraw from his semi-final clash against Nick Kyrgios in 2022 due to an abdominal tear.
Given his age and fitness problems, it would appear unlikely that British fans will get to see him grace the Wimbledon stage again.
Nadal explained his injury hell in May.
After his French Open exit, he said: "I cannot tell you if I will be playing or not at the Olympics, because my body has been a jungle for two years.
"You don't know what to expect. I wake up one day and I found a snake biting me. Another day a tiger.
"If I keep enjoying doing what I am doing and I feel myself competitive and healthy enough to enjoy, I want to keep going for a while.
"I don't know for how long, but I am having fun.”