Rafael Nadal (ESP) leaves the court after his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) on Day 13 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal won't play in Wimbledon or Tokyo Olympics: 'The goal is to prolong my career'

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 6/17/21

Rafael Nadal fell short of his 21st overall grand slam and 14th French Open title when he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in their semifinal match, and the 35-year-old is taking time away to rest, "listening to my body," before trying to get back to his winning ways.

Nadal announced his decision to skip Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics in a lengthy Twitter thread Thursday morning.

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
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 17, 2021

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.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 17, 2021

I want to send a special message to my fans around the world, to those in the United Kingdom and Japan in particular.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 17, 2021

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.“
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 17, 2021

The Spaniard has suffered countless injuries throughout his illustrious tennis career, and he even dealt with a back injury to start this calendar year that lingered into the Australian Open. A foot injury appeared to limit him in his most recent loss to Djokovic, too.

The 2021 Wimbledon Championships will begin June 28 in London.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, postponed from last summer due to the pandemic, are scheduled to commence July 23.

Nadal is a two-time Wimbledon champion (2008, '10) and an Olympic gold medalist in singles ('08).

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