Spanish star Rafael Nadal will not have the chance to pick up his third Wimbledon title at this year’s competition, which begins today… but why will he not be competing at the 2023 tournament?
Day One of this year’s Wimbledon gets underway today, with Rafael Nadal the major absentee from the historic competition.
The 37-year-old will not have the chance to pick up his third Wimbledon title this year. The 22-time grand slam champion has reached the semi-finals in his last three appearances at the tournament.
His first title came in 2008 when he defeated rival Roger Federer in a five set thriller. The Spaniard’s last success came back in 2010 when he secured a straight sets victory over Tomas Berdych.
This year’s action is already well underway, with defending champion Novak Djokovic set to take centre stage this afternoon. The Serbian won his seventh Wimbledon title and fourth in a row by coming from behind to beat Nick Kyrgios at last year’s final.
Mail Sport breaks down why Rafael Nadal will not be competing at this year’s tournament?
Day One of the 2023 Wimbledon will get underway today, but Rafael Nadal will not be involved at this year’s tournament
The 37-year-old has won the tournament two times in his career so far – with his last success coming in 2010
Why is Rafael Nadal not playing at Wimbledon?
Nadal is set to miss this year’s competition due to a hip injury and is expected to be out for five months following surgery.
The 22-time grand slam champion underwent the procedure back in June at a clinic in Barcelona.
Nadal’s team issued an update on Saturday saying the arthroscopic procedure on his left psoas tendon went well, with the damaged areas cleaned and reinforced, while an old labrum injury was also addressed.
The Spaniard suffered the injury at the Australian Open in January and had expected to only be out for six to eight weeks.
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Rafael Nadal told a press conference that he expects 2024 to be his last year on the tour
When will Nadal return?
At a press conference back in May, the Spaniard revealed that he will use the next few months to strengthen his ‘physical state.’
About taking a break, the 22-time Grand Slam champion said: ‘I’ve got to draw a line and that’s what I’m doing now. Over the next few months I’m going to strengthen my physical state and recuperate.
‘I need to put my career on hold and I’m going to try and regenerate my body. I’m not going to set a deadline – that’s going to be when I will feel ready physically.’
Nadal revealed that his plan is to come back to the sport by the end of 2023 – with 2024 set to be his last year as a professional.
‘I want to go back to all the tournaments that have been important to me in my career,’ he said as he laid out his future aspirations.
The 37-year-old plans to make the most of 2024 by returning to important tournaments
Wimbledon full schedule
Monday, July 3
- Men’s and Ladies’ first Round
Tuesday, July 4
- Men’s and Ladies’ first Round
Wednesday, July 5
- Men’s and Ladies’ second Round
Thursday, July 6
- Men’s and Ladies’ second Round
Friday, July 7
- Men’s and Ladies’ third Round
Saturday, July 8
- Men’s and Ladies’ third Round
Sunday, July 9
- Men’s and Ladies’ fourth Round
Monday, July 10
- Men’s and Ladies’ fourth Round
This year’s men’s final is set to take place on Centre Court on Sunday, July 16, while the women’s singles final will take place a day before
Tuesday, July 11
- Men’s Singles Quarter-finals
- Ladies’ Singles Quarter-finals
- Men’s Singles Quarter-finals
Wednesday, July 12
- Ladies’ Singles Quarter-finals
- Ladies’ Singles Semi-finals
Thursday, July 13
Friday, July 14
- Men’s Singles Semi-finals
Saturday, July 15
- Ladies’ Singles Final,
- Men’s Doubles Final
Sunday, July 16
- Men’s Singles Final
- Ladies’ Doubles Final
Novak Djokovic will be looking to looking to successfully defend his title at this year’s Wimbledon
How to watch
Fans will be able to watch all of this year’s action will be shown live on BBC. All of the matches will also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
For those who miss anything, fans will be able to catch up via ‘Today at Wimbledon’ every day from 9pm during the tournament.
ESPN will also be showing live coverage of all of this year’s action for those watching in the States.
Mail Sport will be providing live coverage of the first day of Wimbledon so you can keep up to date with all the action here.
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