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Is Rafael Nadal OK? Player to skip Wimbledon and Olympics due to 'health issues'

Rafael Nadal said he had to 'listen to his body,' adding, 'the goal is to prolong my career'

Tennis fanatics will miss Rafael Nadal in this year's Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympic games since the winner of 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles has pulled out of these major tournaments. Announcing the news on his Twitter handle on June 17, Nadal said that "it was never an easy decision to make" but he had to "listen to his body". Fans flooded his comment section with 'best wishes', hoping that the player makes his comeback soon.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Nadal wrote, "Hi all, I have decided not to participate at this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It’s never an easy decision to take but after listening to my body and discuss it with my team I understand that it is the right decision." Nadal further added, "The goal is to prolong my career and continue to do what makes me happy, that is to compete at the highest level and keep fighting for those professional and personal goals at the maximum level of competition." Back in May 2021, a huge furor was caused when Naomi Osaka pulled out of French Open citing "mental health issues". 

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Rafael emphasized the fact that his decision comes from a place of being 'fair to his body' and wrote, "The fact that there has only been 2 weeks between RG and Wimbledon, didn’t make it easier on my body to recuperate after the always demanding clay court season. They have been two months of great effort and the decision I take is focused looking at the mid and long term." He further added, "Sport prevention of any kind of excess in my body is a very important factor at this stage of my career in order to try to keep fighting for the highest level of competition and titles."

Nadal also curated a 'thoughtful' message for his fans in UK and Japan which said, "I want to send a special message to my fans around the world, to those in the United Kingdom and Japan in particular." He added, "The Olympic Games always meant a lot and they were always a priority as a Sports person, I found the spirit that every sports person in the world wants to live. I personally had the chance to live 3 of them and had the honor to be the flag bearer for my country." One fan also wrote, "Take care Rafa Looking forward to seeing you back on court when you’re ready Have a good rest and enjoy time away with your loved ones See you soon."

'Rest up Rafa'

Fans wholeheartedly supported Rafael Nadal's decision, expressing their disappointment at not getting to see him in action at the same time. One fan wrote, "Wimbledon is not same without you. You are a champion rafa!!! French open just ruined everything!!! Moving the Schedule they just ruined everything !! You deserve 1 more Wimbledon. You always have a chance im so devasted right now with this terrible news." Another fan commented, "Rest up, Rafa. Wimbledon won't be the same without you but we want you back when you're at full fitness! Bring on the US Open!" One tweet read, "Already missing you on court, but there's nothing more important than your health and happiness. Take care and enjoy your time in beautiful Mallorca. Hopefully, you can have a chance to meet your soon too. Feel better soon!"