Nadal withdraws from French Open, set to end career in 2024

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Rafael Nadal on Thursday withdrew from the French Open because his hip injury has failed to heal and said he expects 2024 to be his final year in professional tennis.

It will be the first time since he made his Roland Garros debut in 2005 that the 36-year-old Spanish player will miss the claycourt major that he has won a record 14 times.

"It's not a decision I'm taking, it's a decision my body is taking," Nadal said at a news conference in his native Mallorca.

The Spaniard said he was taking a few months off, without training, meaning he will also definitely miss Wimbledon and most likely the US Open, before starting to play again.

He revealed that next year would bring down the curtain on a career that has so far produced 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

"It's probably going to be my last year on the professional tour, I can't say this 100 percent because you never know what's going to happen," he said.

"The injury I suffered in Australia has not healed as we hoped. 

Nadal said he would not set a date for his return, but indicated that the Davis Cup in November could be a potential target.

The Spaniard said it was important to step away from the game in order to come back next year and say goodbye by playing at his favorite events.

"If I keep playing in this moment, I don't think I can make next year," said Nadal.

"My idea and motivation is to try to enjoy and try to say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important to me," he expressed.

Nadal is hopeful that by taking a complete break, his body can recover.

"I will stop, I won't train, it's been months of frustration -- there's a moment that one has to put the brakes on," he explained.

"It's time to see if the body can regenerate itself over these months."

Read more: Djokovic wins Australian Open to equal Nadal's 22 Grand Slam titles