Rafa Nadal cops backlash from tennis fans after last-minute move leaves many out of pocket

Tennis fans have been left fuming and calling for refunds after Rafa Nadal announced on Friday that he'd withdrawn from the Laver Cup - just a week out from the event. The Spanish legend revealed back in April that he would be playing the teams event, and many predicted it would be where the 38-year-old finally brought down the curtain on his storied career.

Nadal famously left his pregnant wife's bedside to play in the Laver Cup in 2022 after Roger Federer revealed it would be the final event of his career. There were emotional scenes as Federer and Nadal played doubles together, with Nadal desperate to be part of his great friend's farewell.

With Nadal also on the cusp of retirement, many had predicted he would also call it quits at this year's Laver Cup, where Federer will be in attendance as the founder of the event. Many thought it would be the perfect way to say goodbye, and Federer could return the favour to Nadal after his own retirement in 2022.

But fans were rocked on Friday when Nadal revealed he won't be playing the event in Berlin after all. Tellingly, he didn't say he was injured but that he thought there were better players available for Team Europe against Team World.

"I'm really disappointed to share that I won't be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week," the 38-year-old said in a statement. "This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe, I need to do what's best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win.

"I have so many great, emotional memories from playing Laver Cup and I was really looking forward to being with my teammates and with Bjorn in his final year as captain. I wish Team Europe the very best of luck and will be cheering them on from afar.”

Tennis fans left fuming after paying for flights and tickets

Nadal had played doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics, and many thought he would do the same at the Laver Cup. He didn't address his fitness or suggest when he might play again, leaving many suspecting he's played his last match.

Nadal's comment that he will support Team Europe "from afar" suggests he won't even be in attendance at the Laver Cup even if he's not playing. The timing of the announcement has infuriated fans who bought tickets to the event just to see him.

Many have taken to social media to bemoan the fact they booked flights and hotels under the impression they'd be seeing Nadal - possibly for the final time in his career. And the tickets aren't exactly cheap either.

The best seats for the first session on the opening day are an insane 7000 euros, which is equivalent to AU$11,500. The worst seats will only set you back $100, but it's even more expensive for the second session in the night - 7600 euros ($12,500) for the most premium seats.

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To make matters worse, many are claiming they've been unable to get a refund and have only been offered a 'transfer' of tickets to a different session. Yahoo Sport Australia has contacted the Laver Cup for comment.

One person wrote on social media: "I would like a refund for my plane tickets from Canada to Europe and my entry ticket to the Laver Cup please. This is hugely disappointing for a life-long fan." Another wrote: "My brother and I have paid a lot for tickets to Laver Cup - I’m excited to see Alcaraz and others but my brother has always been a huge Rafa fan - main reason we decided to go this year. [Nadal] could have come for the fans and for the fun."