John McEnroe has big doubts over whether high profile player is going to play Wimbledon and US Open this year

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John McEnroe is unsure if Rafael Nadal will compete at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2024.

The Spaniard returned to tour in January after a year out due to injury, but after a minor setback he did not play again until the Barcelona Open in April.

The 37-year-old’s fitness has gradually improved throughout the clay court season and after exiting the French Open he has targeted competing at the Olympics- which will be held at Roland Garros.

But with the Paris Games aside, McEnroe is doubtful about Nadal’s participation at SW19 and Flushing Meadows.

Does John McEnroe think Rafael Nadal will play at Wimbledon and the US Open?

Nadal last played at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022. The former World number one reached the semifinals at the All-England Club but was unable to compete for a spot in the final as he withdrew due to an abdominal injury.

At Flushing Meadows, he reached round four before he was upset by home favourite Frances Tiafoe in four sets.

Nadal is determined to continue playing but while his future is uncertain, McEnroe does not expect to see the 22-time Grand Slam champion and the next two majors.

“I don’t think he will play Wimbledon because he has said that he wants to play the Olympics,” he said. “To switch from clay to grass and back to clay, with his body being the way it is, would be surprising.

“It would probably be surprising if he played the Open. He doesn’t really have much of a ranking at this point, he hasn’t played.”

Rafael Nadal says he is unlikely to play at Wimbledon

The 2024 Wimbledon Championships will take place from July 1 to July 14, with the Olympics tennis event set to commence less than two weeks later.

The transition between the quicker and low-bouncing surface of grass to slow and high-bouncing clay will be difficult for Nadal to contend with given his recent injury woes, as he alluded to after crashing out of Roland Garros on Monday.

“For me now [it] looks difficult to make a transition to grass, then having the Olympics again on clay. I cannot confirm anything. I need to talk with the team and analyse facts,” Nadal said.

“But I don’t think it’s going to be smart after all the things that have happened to my body to make a big transition to a completely different surface and then come back immediately to clay.”