Holder Rafa Nadal will miss the French Open after failing to regain full fitness from a hip injury suffered at the Australian Open in January, the 14-time Roland Garros winner said on Thursday.
“The evolution of the injury I sustained in Australia has not gone as I would have liked. I have lost goals along the way, and Roland Garros becomes impossible,” Nadal told reporters.
“At this moment, I won’t be able to be at Roland Garros. With what that tournament is for me, you can imagine how difficult it is. I have no intention of continuing to play for the next few months.”
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who has won 22 major men’s titles, also said he plans to retire after the 2024 season.
“Next year will be my last year on tour – that is my idea. If I keep going now I won’t be able to make that happen.”
Nadal has been practising in recent weeks, but not been fit enough to play a tournament in the run-up to Roland Garros.