Tennis star Rafael Nadal will not compete in Wimbledon and Tokyo Olympics this year

Leading Spanish tennis star and world number three Rafael Nadal will not be taking part in this year's Wimbledon and Tokyo Olympics 2020 games.

According to foreign media, the 20-time Grand Slam winner has stated in a statement that he thinks he needs to rest after a long season played on red clay.

Rafael Nadal, who won Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, lost in the semifinals to Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the French Open last week.

It should be noted that the French Open is played on a red clay court while Wimbledon has a grass court.

Rafael Nadal, 35, said it was a tough decision, but after listening to his body and talking to the team, he thought it was the right decision.

"The goal is to enhance my career and to continue to be happy," he said.

Wimbledon will run from June 28 to July 11, while the Tokyo Olympics are scheduled for July 23.

The world's oldest tennis events, Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics were canceled last year due to the coronavirus.