"Looks difficult" - Rafael Nadal casts doubt over US Open participation after Paris Olympics exit

Rafael Nadal has said that the prospect of him playing at this year's US Open is somewhat unlikely at the moment. The Spaniard endured a disappointing campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, exiting in the second round and the quarterfinals of the men's singles and doubles competitions, respectively.

Although Nadal had previously disclosed that this year could mark his last season on the ATP Tour, he has lately refrained from giving a definitive answer surrounding his retirement from tennis. Moreover, the 22-time Major winner also entered the US Open in September via Protected Ranking (PR).

Rafael Nadal was asked to give an update on his possible participation at the New York Slam after his campaign at the Olympics came to an end. In response, he maintained that it "looked difficult" while claiming that he needed "some time" to plan his next move.

"Looks like not but I’m gonna let you know soon. For me, now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time," Nadal told Express. "But for me, looks difficult."

The 38-year-old also said that the Paris Olympics, which is being played at the Stade Roland Garros, was perhaps his last outing on his hallowed grounds that saw him win 14 titles.

"Maybe," he replied when asked whether it was the last time the fans could see him on Court Philippe-Chatrier. "I think if that’s the last time, for me, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and the support every single second that I have been on court."

---

Rafael Nadal on his Olympics campaign: "I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but if that’s the last time, I enjoyed it"

The Spanish duo during their second-round doubles match at Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal was admittedly grateful for getting the opportunity to compete at this year's Olympics, even though he was unsure about his future as a tennis pro.

"I can’t really thank enough all of them for giving me the feeling that I have inside myself and the emotions that they make me feel," the Spaniard said. "So I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but if that’s the last time I enjoyed it."

The 22-time Major winner also thanked Carlos Alcaraz for contributing to his "lifetime experience" while looking back on his illustrious career.

"I won enough in my career, I won much more than what I ever dreamed so for me it’s about enjoying different experience and for me, that’s another lifetime experience too, to share with Carlos - an amazing player that I think is going to be of course one of the best in history too," he added. "To share this moment for [the] Spanish team. So I enjoyed that, and that’s it."

While he has yet to finalize his schedule for the rest of 2024, Nadal did recently confirm his participation at this year's Laver Cup. The 38-year-old has played in three editions of the exhibition tournament — 2017, 2019 and 2022.