"For me, it's not possible to play at Roland Garros. It's not my decision but my body's. Out of breath, exhausted. Rafael Nadal the man of all impossible returns finally said stop. His body, his strength during so many campaigns has become a burden under the blow of repeated injuries. The last one in the left leg (iliac psoas) during the 2nd round of the Australian Open in January still hurts him. Impossible in these conditions to meet the challenge of the earth.
For the first time since his debut at Porte d'Auteuil in 2005, the first of his 14 titles in Paris, Rafael Nadal will not be on the starting line of Roland-Garros. The absence of the "king of the earth" leaves a huge void.
Rafael Nadal hopes to cut two months before getting back in the saddle after skipping Wimbledon (July 3-16). This leaves hope for the US Open (August 28-September 10). "I can't say 100 percent it's going to be like that but that's what I hope. My ambition is to say goodbye to all the tournaments I've played. And to be competitive. This is not the case today..."
At Roland-Garros, over the years, Rafael Nadal was the phenomenon, the scarecrow, the master of ceremonies, then the recordman and applied himself to confiscate (almost) all the prizes (112 wins-3 losses). But his body said stop. Death in the soul, the valiant Spaniard gave up. After having, as always, given everything. Committed to ensuring that every minute is dedicated to the goal. By clinging to the crazy hope of being once again at the rendezvous of his legend. To make his threat hang. On fertile land.
More information to come...
