Little explanation as Laver loses Nadal

The Laver Cup lineup will be without Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard withdrew without explanation from next weekend’s Europe v World event in Berlin.

The Roger Federer-inspired tribute to Aussie great Rod Laver was to have featured the 38-year-old Nadal playing what was expected to be his last event of this season.

The clay genius last competed in a second-round loss at the Paris Olympics. With his career surely winding down, the presence of the legend would have marked one of the presumed final steps in his career.

But any celebrations or tributes are now on hold after the surprise decision to pack in 2024 by the Nadal camp.

The one exception to the rule will be a big money payday in Saudi next month as the veteran fulfills his role as official “mascot” of the tennis federation of the desert kingdom happily  buying its way into many sports.

Nadal is under contract to promote tennis in the country and will be expected to front up for the local exhibition from October 16-19.

The lineup in the desert includes Novak Djokovic, Nadal disciple carlos Alcaraz, world No. 1 Jannik Siinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune, with the winner grabbing USD 6 million – twice the Wimbledon winner’s prize packet.

 “Not being in the Laver is not a drama,” Nadal said in Madrid. “These are decisions that one takes and this was a clear possibility. 

I have not competed for quite some time, I am convinced that there will be another player who will do better.

“”Right now I am not in a position to set anything . I said that I would play until the Olympic Games in Paris and then we would see what happens. Now I am in that period of rest ,”  

He added: “I’m mentally well, enjoying other things at home. Zero problems, I train as much as I can every day.”

Nadal is replaced in the Laver lineup by Grigor Dimitrov, a US Open quarter-finalist. 

Main photo:- Nadal lost in second round match at Paris 2024 – by International Sports Fotos Ltd