Rafael Nadal Skips Wimbledon to Focus on Olympics

Share to Google Classroom

Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has decided to skip Wimbledon to prepare for the Paris Olympics. Instead, he will participate in a clay-court tournament in Bastad, Sweden, which he hasn’t played in 19 years. Nadal, who turned 38 on June 3, aims to stay on clay courts rather than switching to grass for Wimbledon and then back to clay for the Olympics.

Nadal explained that sticking to one surface is better for his body. He has been dealing with hip and abdominal injuries, including surgery in 2023, which have limited his playing schedule. Recently, Nadal was defeated in the first round of the French Open by Alexander Zverev, marking the first time he has lost consecutive matches on clay.

The tennis competition at the Summer Olympics will take place at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open, starting on July 27. Nadal has won a record 14 titles there. At the Olympics, he will play both doubles with Carlos Alcaraz and singles. Alcaraz, 21, recently won the 2024 French Open, making him the youngest man to have major championships on all three surfaces.

Nadal mentioned that transitioning to grass for Wimbledon would be challenging and not smart given his recent injuries. He has won Wimbledon twice, in 2008 and 2010, and reached the semifinals in his last three appearances, withdrawing in 2022 due to a torn abdominal muscle.

1
In 2023, 17.2 percent of New Zealand households had at...
1
A giant floating octopus artwork by well-known artist Lisa Reihana...
1
A miniature dachshund named Valerie has been rescued after surviving...
1
Starting in October, pet cats in Melbourne, Australia, must stay...
1
Monkeys may be better yodellers than humans, according to a...

World & National News

1
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, people from around the world...
1
Easter Sunday in 2025 was celebrated on April 20, following...
1
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, told businesses in London...
1
Anzac Day was celebrated on the 25th April 2025. This...
1
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, has died...