Rafael Nadal withdrew from the US Open on Wednesday, marking the third Grand Slam event he will miss this season and raising further questions about the future of his tennis career at the age of 38.
Nadal wrote on social media that he would miss “those exciting, special nights” at Arthur Ashe Stadium, “but I don’t think I can play at 100% this time.” Indeed, he was officially on the entry list for the New York Open last month, but that was merely a formality and did not prevent the 22-time Grand Slam champion from withdrawing at any time before the tournament begins on August 26.
Nadal has not announced any news regarding retirement, but considering his age and recent injury history—including hip surgery in 2023 and abdominal muscle issues in 2024, which have limited his playing time over the past two seasons—he may not have much left in the tank.
He has won the US Open four times, in 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019. Nadal has a record 14 French Open titles, as well as two Wimbledon and Australian Open titles. His most recent Grand Slam victories were in 2022, in Melbourne in January and Paris in June, which made him surpass Federer to become the then-record holder of 20 men’s Grand Slam titles.
The USTA (United States Tennis Association) stated that Nadal’s spot will be taken by Mackie McDonald, the highest-ranked unseeded male player at No. 93.