Nadal to miss French Open with hip injury, may retire next year

FOR months, Rafael Nadal waited for his body to heal. Waited to be able to push himself around a court at full speed, with full energy, of the sort that has carried him to a record 14 titles at the French Open and a total of 22 at all Grand Slam tournaments.

He finally acknowledged Thursday (Friday in Manila) it wasn't going to happen in time for Roland Garros, where play begins in 10 days — and, while he's not exactly sure when he will be fully recovered from a lingering hip injury, Nadal said he expects to return to action at some point and probably wrap up his career in 2024.