"Nadal Shocks Fans: Playing Wimbledon 'Not a Good Idea' as He Eyes Olympics"

Playing Wimbledon 'not a good idea' as Nadal eyes Olympics

Media caption: Rafael Nadal hints towards an absence at Wimbledon before the Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal says playing Wimbledon is "not a good idea" as he focuses on the Olympics instead. After losing in the French Open first round on Monday, the 37-year-old Spaniard said his "main goal" is to return to Roland Garros at the Paris 2024 Games.

Wimbledon, where Nadal won in 2008 and 2010, starts on 1 July.

The Olympic tennis tournament begins on 27 July.

"Now, it looks hard to switch to grass and then play the Olympics on clay," said Nadal.

"I can't confirm anything. I need to talk with my team and look at the facts.

"But after all the issues with my body, I don't think it's wise to switch to a different surface and then return to clay right away."

Nadal, ranked 275th in the world, will almost certainly need a protected injury ranking to play in the Paris Olympics.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has faced many physical problems over the past 18 months.

Nadal, who won singles gold at Beijing 2008, is set to play Olympic doubles for Spain with reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.

"If everything goes well, we will play doubles together here," Alcaraz confirmed after his French Open first-round win on Sunday.

'My body is a jungle'

Since a hip injury at the 2023 Australian Open, Nadal has played only five tournaments but has been happy with how his body has handled the clay-court season.

A tough draw at the French Open, where he was unseeded for the first time, led to a straight-set loss to German fourth seed Alexander Zverev on Monday.

"I can't say if I'll be playing in a month and a half at the Olympics because my body has been unpredictable for two years," Nadal added.

"One day I wake up feeling good, and the next day, I have new problems.

"It's been a big fight, but things have been better in the past few weeks."

Former world number one Nadal had suggested 2024 might be his last season on tour but hasn't ruled out continuing if he's healthy.

"If I keep enjoying what I do and feel competitive and healthy, I want to keep going for a while," he said.

"I don't know for how long, but I'm having fun.

"I need to give myself a bit more time to see if my level improves and my body holds up. Then I'll decide.

"Give me two months until the Olympics, and then I'll see if I can keep going or if it's time to stop. Let's see."