 "Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after losing his men's doubles match alongside Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics. AP")
Rafael Nadal will not be in action at the Laver Cup next week in Berlin, said the 22-time Grand Slam champion in a statement released by the organisers on Thursday.
The Laver Cup, scheduled to take place between September 20-22, said a replacement in Team Europe would be announced soon, to join other stars including Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
Nadal pulled out of the US Open in August as he did not feel he could perform at his best. It came on the back of an appearance at the Paris Olympics where he played singles and doubles - alongside Alcaraz .
“I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week,” said the 38-year-old Spanish tennis great in the statement.
“This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.”
Nadal missed virtually all of the 2023 season with a hip injury and has only taken part in one of the last seven Grand Slams, ousted in the first round of this year’s French Open.
“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 in his final year as captain,” continued Nadal in the statement.
“I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”
Nadal is next due to appear at the Six Kings Slam, a Saudi Arabian elite tennis exhibition in October.
The Laver Cup pits Team Europe against Team World in a three-day showdown. Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe are the two non-playing captains and there are two six-player squads, similar to the six previous editions.
On Thursday, two changes were necessitated for Team World as well. Francisco Cerundolo and Thanasi Kokkinakis replaced Alex de Minaur and Tommy Paul, who withdrew with injuries.