Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week’s Laver Cup as he battles to regain full fitness, the Spaniard said on Thursday. Nadal last played at the Paris Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round, before skipping the US Open due to concern about his fitness.

The 22-time grand slam winner said at the time that he was targeting a return at the Laver Cup, from 20-22 September. “I’m really disappointed to share that I won’t be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin,” Nadal said in a statement on Thursday. “This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what’s best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.

“I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Björn [Borg] in his final year as captain. I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”

Nadal last played at the Laver Cup in 2022, when he teamed up with his rival Roger Federer in the Swiss great’s final match of his career. A former world No 1, Nadal has fallen outside the top 150 in the rankings after struggling with injuries for two years.