LONDON: Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka, with 24 Grand Slam titles between them, both withdrew from Wimbledon on Thursday with the Spanish star also pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics in a bid “to prolong my career”.
Nadal’s snub of the Olympics was later followed by world number five Dominic Thiem also withdrawing from Tokyo.
Osaka, however, said she still intended to take part in her home Olympics.
The 35-year-old Nadal, who won Olympic gold and Wimbledon in 2008, triumphing again at the All England Club two years later, revealed his decision on Twitter.
“I have decided not to participate at this year’s Championships at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” he tweeted.
“It’s never an easy decision to take but after listening to my body and discuss(ing) it…
