Hold onto your tennis rackets because Rafael Nadal just dropped a bombshell on Instagram that’s bigger than a serve from the baseline! The 38-year-old tennis wizard and 22-time Grand Slam conqueror has announced that he’s skipping the 2024 U.S. Open. Yes, you read that right. The King of Clay is taking a rain check on the hard courts of New York!
On Tuesday, August 7, Rafael decided to take his talents elsewhere and let his fans know in a post that was basically a love letter to the U.S. Open, sprinkled with a dash of “I’m too old for this.”
“Hey everyone!” Rafael’s Instagram post began, sounding like he was breaking up with the US Open, “I’ve decided to sit this year out. I know, it’s like breaking up with your favorite pizza place because you’re on a diet or something.”
He continued, “I’ll miss the electric nights in NYC at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the only thing hotter than the stadium lights is the atmosphere. But hey, I don’t think my old legs can handle it this time. I’m more ‘let’s sit on the couch with a good book’ than ‘let’s smash serves.’”
Rafael didn’t just drop this news and run. He wrapped up his message with a warm hug for his fans, saying, “Thanks for all the love, U.S. fans. I’ll miss you all, but I’ll be back to play another day. In the meantime, best of luck to all the players, and remember, the US Open is always amazing—whether I’m there or not!”
But don’t worry, tennis fans, Rafael won’t be retiring his rackets just yet. He’s got a date with the Laver Cup in Berlin from September 20 to 22. So, if you were worried he’d be hanging up his tennis shoes, think again!
In case you were wondering, Nadal’s résumé includes a whopping four U.S. Open titles—2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019—so you know he’s got some serious history with the tournament. But for now, it’s time for him to take a breather and maybe try a new hobby—like competitive napping. 💤