Rafael Nadal to miss Australian Open due to muscle tear | Tennis News
Rafael Nadal will miss the Australian Open due to a muscle tear. The 37-year-old suffered the injury during his Brisbane International quarter-final defeat against Jordan Thompson.
“During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried. Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news,” the 22-time Grand Slam wrote on his X(Formerly known as Twitter) account.
“Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in 5 sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest,” he added.
I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in 3 months. Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive… pic.twitter.com/FoFrr5AgMZ
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 7, 2024
Nadal made his long-awaited comeback in Brisbane after spending almost a year on the sidelines with a hip flexor injury sustained during his second round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in last year’s Australian Open.
“I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in 3 months.Within the sad news for me for not being able 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,” he said.
The 37-year-old did not compete again last season after undergoing surgery in June and sustained an upper left leg issue during his defeat Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals of the tune-up event for the Jan. 14-28 Melbourne Park major.
“I really wanted to play here in Australia and I have had the chance to play a few matches that made me very happy and positive,” the star player concluded.
(With inputs from agencies)
