Rafael Nadal has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Laver Cup in Berlin, raising uncertainty about when fans will see the Spanish tennis champion back in action. The Laver Cup, famously known for Roger Federer’s retirement in 2022 following his doubles partnership with Nadal, would have marked Nadal’s return to competition since the Paris Olympics and potentially could have been one of his final appearances in the sport. Nadal, 38, expressed his disappointment about missing the event, stating, “This is a team competition, and to truly support Team Europe, I need to prioritize what is best for the team, and currently, there are other players who can contribute to securing the win.”

The 22-time Grand Slam winner refrained from providing details about his current physical condition, following a series of injuries in recent years, or specifying when he plans to resume playing. Nadal’s absence from the U.S. Open last month meant he missed out on three of the four Grand Slam tournaments in 2024. His most recent matches were at the Olympics, where he reached the men’s doubles quarterfinals and faced a second-round singles defeat at the hands of Novak Djokovic.

The Laver Cup, scheduled for September 20-22, features an indoor hard-court men’s competition that pits Team Europe against Team World in a format reminiscent of golf’s Ryder Cup. As of now, there has been no announcement regarding a replacement for Nadal in the upcoming tournament.