Will Rafael Nadal play the US Open 2024?

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, is gearing up for a dramatic return to the U.S. Open, utilizing a protected ranking to enter the tournament. This announcement follows his participation in the Paris Olympics and has excited tennis fans worldwide. The U.S. Open is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 8.

Nadal, 38, has a rich history with the U.S. Open, having claimed the title four times, with his most recent victory in 2019. He last competed in the tournament in 2022, making his upcoming participation highly anticipated.

Nadal’s Return to Competitive Play

After opting out of Wimbledon to focus on the Olympics, Nadal marked his return to singles competition with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Leo Borg, the 21-year-old son of Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg. This match took place during the first round of the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden, on Tuesday.

Reflecting on the match, Nadal expressed his honor in playing against Borg’s son. “For me, it has been a huge honor to play against the son of one of the biggest legends in the history of our sport,” Nadal stated. “I think he played quite well; he has a future ahead, so I wish him all the very best.”

This appearance in Bastad marks Nadal’s return to the tournament since he won it as a 19-year-old in 2005. His current participation is part of his preparation for the Olympic tournament on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.

Injury Struggles and Comeback

Nadal’s return to the court is particularly significant given his struggles with hip and abdominal injuries over the past year and a half. These injuries had sidelined him since his first-round loss to Alexander Zverev at the French Open. In addition to his singles match, Nadal also teamed up with Casper Ruud to win a first-round doubles match earlier in the week.

Looking ahead, Nadal is set to face British No. 2 Cameron Norrie in his next singles match.

U.S. Open Entries and Rankings

The announcement of Nadal’s participation in the U.S. Open comes as the tournament reveals its list of entrants, based on the July 15 rankings. World No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek lead the field, followed by reigning U.S. Open champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, both ranked No. 2. World No. 3s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka round out the top entries.

The United States leads all nations with 25 players earning direct entry into the tournament. The American women’s contingent includes top-ranked players such as No. 2 Gauff, No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and No. 9 Danielle Collins. On the men’s side, top-15 players Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton are set to compete.

Americans Using Special Rankings

Several American players are utilizing special or protected rankings for direct entry into the U.S. Open. This list includes Reilly Opelka (No. 33), Shelby Rogers (No. 51), and Lauren Davis (No. 59). The women’s cutoff for the rankings was No. 96, while the men’s cutoff was No. 98.

Nadal’s return to the U.S. Open, combined with his impressive career achievements and recent Olympic participation, adds an exciting dimension to this year’s tournament. As he prepares to compete on one of tennis’s biggest stages once again, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the seasoned champion performs.

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