Nadal Pulls Out Of Australian Open Due To Muscle Tear

Spanish tennis sensation Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a “micro tear on a muscle” just a week after returning to the court from a year-long injury hiatus.

The 37-year-old, a four-time World Cup-winning legend, had been absent from the sport since sustaining a hip injury at the 2023 Australian Open, followed by surgical intervention and a comeback at the Brisbane International.

Despite winning his initial two matches convincingly, Nadal faced a setback during the quarter-final match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson, experiencing pain in his upper left thigh and requiring a medical timeout. Subsequent medical examinations in Melbourne revealed a micro tear in a muscle, distinct from the previous injury site, providing some relief.

Nadal expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, “Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of five-set matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.”

This unexpected withdrawal from the Australian Open raises the possibility that Nadal may have played his final matches at Melbourne Park, as he previously hinted at a potential farewell to the tour in 2024. His decision to continue playing beyond this season depends on his health, as stated during his Brisbane comeback.

“We will miss you in Melbourne, Rafa,” conveyed the Australian Open on its official channels, extending well-wishes for a speedy recovery.

Nadal’s injury setback follows Novak Djokovic’s injury concerns, with the world number one receiving treatment for a troublesome right wrist during the United Cup last week. Djokovic remains optimistic about regaining fitness for the Australian Open.

Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout Nadal’s illustrious career, resulting from his physically demanding playing style. Despite this setback, the 22-time Grand Slam champion emphasized that he did not enter the Brisbane tournament with the expectation of winning, acknowledging that the Australian Open might have arrived too soon in his comeback timeline.

“While this is sad news for me not to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news, and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season,” Nadal remarked. He thanked his supporters and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play a few matches in Australia.

The tennis community awaits Nadal’s recovery, hoping to see the legendary player back on the court soon.

Reported by AFP