The Spanish tennis player, who returned to compete after almost a year of inactivity, suffered a small tear and will miss the first Grand Slam of the year.
Rafael Nadal will not participate in Australian Openfirst grand slam of 2024 to be played between January 14 and 28, due to a micro-tear in the muscle he suffered at the Brisbane tournament during a quarterfinal match with Australian Jordan Thompson.
“In my last game in Brisbane I had a little problem with a muscle which, as you know, worried me. When I got to Melbourne I had the opportunity to have an MRI and I had a micro tear in the muscle, not on the same side where I had the injury, and that was good news“Nadal said on the social network X.
The Balearic tennis player admits that, in such a state, it is impossible “compete at the highest level of demand in five-set matches. I returned to Spain to consult my doctor, get treatment and rest“.
“I worked hard during the year for this comeback and, as I always say, my goal is to be at my best level in three months. Inside the sad news for me because I won’t be able to play in front of the incredible crowd in Melbourne, it’s not bad news and we all remain positive about the evolution of the season“, he analyzed optimistically.
When reviewing his first matches of the year, the tennis player highlighted: “I really want to play in Australia, I’ve done it in a few games which has made me happy and that’s always positive“.
At 37 years old and after two hip surgeries that have kept him out of action since January 2023, Nadal returned to the circuit this year at the Brisbane ATP and swept two rounds with victories over Austrian Dominic Thiem (98th ) and the Australian Jason Kubler ( 102 °).
Nadal’s post where he warned of his injury and withdrew from the Australian Open
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Source: Tycsports
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