Rafael Nadal pulls out of French Open, will likely retire in 2024

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the French Open over a lingering hip injury that has sidelined him since January and announced that next year will be the last of his career.

The Spaniard has won the French Open a record 14 times, including last year, and has never before missed the tournament since his winning debut in 2005.Nadal, who turns 37 next month, delivered the news of his withdrawal – and future plans – during a news conference at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain.

He said he does not want to set a date for his return to the tennis tour, but expects it to take months.

“You never know how things will turn out, but my intention is that next year will be my last year,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion added.

Nadal has a career record of 112 wins to just three losses at the French Open, a level of dominance unmatched by any man or woman at any Grand Slam event in the long annals of a sport that dates to the 1800s.

When Nadal won the trophy last year, while dealing with chronic foot pain, he became the oldest champion in tournament history.

The Spaniard has not competed since he lost to Mackie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open on January 18. That was Nadal’s earliest Grand Slam exit since 2016.

Nadal’s lengthy absence this year has also seen him drop out of the world’s top 10 for the first time in 18 years.