Why is Rafael Nadal not playing at Wimbledon 2023?
Rafael Nadal made a major announcement in the build-up to a big summer of tennis. We have all the latest news.
It’s easy to revel in the other-worldly achievements of Rafael Nadal. He has racked up 22 Grand Slam titles, including two Wimbledon triumphs (2008, 2010).
However, if not for a host of recurring injuries, his total could have been far higher and he could have stood alone in tennis’ GOAT race.
The legendary Spanish star has also dragged himself to a number of titles while hurt, including last year's French Open in Paris, during which Nadal revealed he was having daily injections in his foot to get him over line in each round of the competition
However, this multitude of injuries over the years has seen Nadal miss 11 Grand Slams across his career, sadly including this year’s upcoming Wimbledon.
RadioTimes.com has rounded up all the details about Rafael Nadal's absence from Wimbledon 2023.
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Why is Rafael Nadal not playing at Wimbledon this year?
Wimbledon is a tournament that Nadal is no stranger to seeing the medical table at. One year ago, he was forced to pull out at the semi-final stage following an abdominal tear during his mammoth quarter final with American ace Taylor Fritz.
An injury to Nadal’s hip, suffered during a third-round Australian Open defeat in January this year, was the latest in a long line of knee, ankle, hip, and wrist injuries that have plagued Rafa on and off for approximately a decade.
Originally slated for a recovery period of around six to eight weeks, this new injury was supposed to come and go.
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Alas, halfway through the year, and we’re yet to see Nadal re-emerge. Nadal has now officially shut himself down for the remainder of the 2023 tennis season.
The real kicker here is the next time we see Nadal, it will probably be the last, with the 37-year-old saying next season will be his last, should he recover to be in 2024 at all.
Following his Roland Garros withdrawal, he stated: “My intention is for 2024 to be my last year”.
Let’s hope that Nadal’s swansong provides more of the magical and downright jaw dropping moments that have made him a fan favourite for nearly 20 years.
For more Wimbledon features, check out: Wimbledon FAQs, facts and figures | Who has won Wimbledon the most times? | How does Wimbledon Hawk-Eye work?
How many times has Rafael Nadal won Wimbledon?
Rafa has lifted the trophy on Centre Court twice. He first won in 2008 after a thrilling five setter against Roger Federer, a match deemed by many fans to be the greatest tennis final of all time. Nadal won again in 2010, this time in straight sets against Tomas Berdych.
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