Spanish tennis icon and 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal suffered an injury at the 2023 Australian Open in January and has not played since then while the date of his return is yet to be determined.
The Spaniard also fell out of the world’s top 10 for the first time in his 20-year-long astounding career and is currently ranked World No. 237.
After going through surgery in June, the 37-year-old missed Roland Garros — which he has won 14 times — Wimbledon, and US Open.
However, in recent interviews, the Spaniard has expressed his desire to bid farewell to his illustrious career at the Paris Olympics 2024.
"I'm not going to tell you that it's my last year 100 per cent and that I have it planned," Nadal said earlier. "Because what if it's not like that? My hope is in two months to know how and where I am. The 2024 Olympics in Paris would be a nice end to my career if I feel good."
Nadal then went on to explain that he would like to team up with Carlos Alcaraz.
"I have not had the slightest conversation with him in that regard," added the 37-year-old. "But I would also like to and it would be a good motivation, another incentive for me to be able to close my Olympic cycle."
However, as Nadal is hoping to represent his country at the Olympics 2024, there is one issue that may prevent that from happening.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) rules state that for a player to compete at the Olympics, they first have to represent their country in the Davis Cup for two consecutive years.
And Nadal would be unable to represent Spain because he will not have represented his country in the Davis Cup for two years in the buildup, since he missed this year's tournament due to an injury.
20-time Grand Slam triumphant Roger Federer found himself in a similar position in 2019 when he announced his desire to compete at the Tokyo Olympics despite not meeting the Davis Cup requirements.
However, the Swiss Tennis Federation ultimately made it possible by requesting an exemption. But, Federer ended up missing the mega event as he withdrew due to an injury.
Nadal would require some serious strings pulled by Spain if he wants to compete at the Olympics.
