"Got smoked by Novak Djokovic in Olympics & said f that" ;"Time to retire" - Fans react to Rafael Nadal withdrawing from US Open 2024

Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 US Open. This came after his final Olympic campaign at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.

Nadal took to social media to announce his decision to skip the 2024 US Open, meaning that he will not feature in the entirety of the North American hard court swing of the 2024 ATP Tour. In his post, the Spaniard noted that he would not be in the prime physical shape to compete in the year's last Grand Slam and recalled all the amazing moments he experienced in New York. He particularly reminisced about the "special" night session matches at the Arthur Ashe Stadium throughout his career.

"Hi all, writing today to let you guys know that I have decided not to compete at this year’s US Open a place where I have amazing memories. I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don’t think I would be able to give my 100% this time," he wrote.

The former World No. 1 thanked all the US Open fans for their support and confirmed that his next tournament will be the Laver Cup in Berlin.

"Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time. Best of lucks to all for the always amazing US Open! My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin."

Rafael Nadal, a four-time US Open champion, last played the tournament in 2022. His announcement post went viral on social media and drew mixed reactions from tennis fans. Some were not surprised by the 37-year-old's decision, with fans joking that the Spaniard decided against going to New York after receiving a thumping defeat from Novak Djokovic at the Olympics. A few fans also called on the Spaniard to retire.

"Got smoked by Djokavic in the Olympics and said f that," a fan said.

"It's time to retire," a fan wrote.

"Claydull withdrawing from hard court. So surprising," said another fan.

"Why would he traveled to NY to lose in the first round? His only hope for any kind of success was this past month and we know how it ended," a fan opined.

The announcement also left many fans heartbroken and mourned the end of Nadal's Grand Slam era. Some also predicted that the Laver Cup would be the last tournament of his career.

"This feels like a retirement post, end of an era," a fan commented.

"Guess Laver cup will be the farewell," a fan tweeted.

"Nadal withdraws from the U.S Open... and you can't help but think that's the end of his Grand Slam career," another fan said.

"We'll miss you, Rafa," a fan wrote on X.

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Rafael Nadal will be joined by Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and more at Laver Cup 2024

Picture from Laver Cup 2022

Rafael Nadal confirmed his participation in the 2024 Laver Cup back in April. He will join Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas in Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg. The exhibition tournament will be played at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, from September 20-22.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has played at the Laver Cup thrice—Prague in 2017, Geneva in 2019, and London in 2022. His last appearance was an emotionally charged affair, as it was the farewell tournament for Swiss maestro Roger Federer. Nadal partnered with Federer to play doubles at the 2022 Laver Cup, the Swiss' last-ever match.

Team Europe will be hoping to win the title back from last year's champion Team World. Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton will represent Team World at the 2024 Laver Cup.