Tennis: Rafael Nadal withdraws from Laver Cup

Rafael Nadal’s stilted return from injury has hit another speedbump, with the former No.1 announcing on Thursday evening that he is withdrawing from next week’s Laver Cup in Berlin.

The Spaniard had originally planned to play the event after competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, Nadal now believes he is “not in a position to win anything” and should make way for others.

“I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week,” he said in a statement.

“This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them.

“At this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.

“I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn (Borg) in his final year as Captain.

“I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”

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In a separate statement to Spanish media on Thursday, Nadal explained that while he has withdrawn from the Laver Cup, he has no physical or mental issues.

“Right now, I’m not in a position to win anything,” he shared.

“I said that I would play until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and then we would see, and I am in that time of rest.

“Mentally, I am well. Zero problems physically too.

“I’m at home enjoying other things and training what I can daily.

“These are the decisions that are being made and it was a possibility.

“I haven’t competed for a while.

“There will be another player who would play better.”

Nadal has had a stop-start past 18 months.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered a leg injury in early 2023 and played only four matches all year.

He has made a gradual return to the ATP Tour in 2024, with mixed results.

Nadal holds a 12-7 win-loss record for the year, with his best run being a loss in the final of the ATP 250 in Bastad this July.

Despite the stilted nature of his season, tennis bookmakers still put the Spaniard on the sixth line of betting for the 2025 Australian Open.

Nadal is paying +1600 at Bovada to win the event, behind Novak Djokovic (+150), Carlos Alcaraz (+250), Jannik Sinner (+250), Daniil Medvedev (+700) and Alexander Zverev (+1200).

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