'I think it's a great competition but ... I can't change my mind that two world cups (within two months) is not real'
Rafael Nadal has not played since sustaining a hip injury at the Australian Open in January.
With Roger Federer and 2018 champion Novak Djokovic having already made exits, Nadal's path to a fourth US Open trophy has been cleared of familiar hurdles.
Novak Djokovic said he is hoping to put the cherry on top of a successful 2023 season with a record seventh ATP Finals title, after the world number one beat Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final to set up a showdown with Jannik Sinner.
Nadal is bidding for his second title in his 15th appearance at Melbourne Park
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem huffed and puffed his way into the main draw of the Brisbane International on Saturday, but not before a hissing intruder slithered onto the court and briefly halted play.
Nadal said the two-week gap between the French Open and Wimbledon was not enough time for him to recuperate
World number one Novak Djokovic said his win over Rafa Nadal in Friday's epic French Open semi-final was one of the top three matches he had played and he would remember it forever.
The untroubled advance of the heavy hitters at Wimbledon was spectacularly halted on Thursday when twice champion Rafa Nadal was bundled out by German qualifier Dustin Brown who played the match of his life.
Novak Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final to win a 24th Grand Slam singles title and equal Margaret Court's record haul.
World number one Novak Djokovic and number two Rafa Nadal set up a mouth-watering men's singles final at the US Open with victories in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
Zverev will have a chance to spoil the birthday party for Nadal, who turns 36 on Friday
'I don't see him in any way stressed. He won't be completely destroyed if Rafa makes the 20'
'What a heart, what a mindset, what guts, what everything, what a REFERENCE you are! I'm at your feet!'
Novak Djokovic huffed and puffed but forced his way into the fourth round of the French Open.
'A very special day for me with the unveiling of this statue @rolandgarros #muchasgracias #merci,' Rafa posted alonside a picture of the statue.
The Spaniard, who has won a men's record 22 Grand Slam titles, will return for the the Masters 1000 event in Bercy, which the world number two has never won, as part of his preparations for the ATP's finale in Turin from November 13-20.
Andy Murray hinted that this could be his last season after he recorded his 500th hardcourt win with a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-3 victory over Canada's Denis Shapovalov in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday.
The winners of the season's first three grand slams Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal put on a masterclass at the Western and Southern Open on Wednesday, strolling into the third round with straight sets wins.
Simona Halep will take over as the new number one in the WTA world rankings after progressing to the China Open final with a dominant 6-2 6-4 victory over Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in Beijing on Saturday.
Jannik Sinner bounced back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev and win his maiden Grand Slam title.
Images from the men's singles quarter-finals at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Djokovic has refused to take the vaccine and appears set to miss out on the year's last Grand Slam
With Rafael Nadal out with injury, can Novak Djokovic go past the Spaniard and pick up a record 23rd Grand Slam title.
French Open organisers defended their security arrangements after protesters, one letting off a flare and running on court, briefly interrupted the final between Rafa Nadal and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Sunday.
Tennis is on hold until at least the start of August because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while there have been positive noises about the prospects of the US Open taking place, followed by the French Open, Rafael Nadal served a dose of reality.
Spain's Rafa Nadal handed Novak Djokovic another semi-final defeat when he beat the world number one at the Rogers Cup on Saturday to set up a title decider against local favourite Milos Raonic.
Rafael Nadal's absence from Indian Wells saw the 22-times Grand Slam champion slip out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005.
Images from Day 7 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Saturday.
IMAGES from the Australian Open matches played on Wednesday.
Nadal, who would pass fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno as the oldest Roland Garros men's singles champion if he wins, had to dig deep again in a three-hour slugfest in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev before the German was forced to retire mid-match after injuring his ankle.
Thousands of athletes and staff roamed the Olympic village freely, mingling at cafes and swapping souvenir pins.
Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka and compatriot Roger Federer suffered contrasting third round defeats at the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday.
'I physically need to get a little better and hopefully over time I get a little bit faster... I think I will'
Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic rallied to see off Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4 in the Shanghai Open quarter-finals on Friday and world number one Rafa Nadal also booked his place in the last four.
Roger Federer saw his men's record haul of 20 Grand Slam singles titles matched by Rafael Nadal on Sunday and the Swiss great was quick to offer his congratulations to the Spaniard.
IMAGES from the Australian Open final played on Sunday
'He told me that (I had) a great run, and I told him again, 'bravo'.'
Images from the Olympics tennis action at the Roland Garros, Paris, on Wednesday.
Nadal was leading the match 6-1, 2-0 when Correno Busta decided he had had enough.
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