Nadal to skip Australian Open due to fresh muscle injury

Nadal to skip Australian Open due to fresh muscle injury

Published January 07,2024


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Rafael Nadal will miss the Australian Open this month after the Spaniard suffered a small muscle tear throughout his comeback from a protracted damage layoff on the Brisbane International final week, the 22-times Grand Slam champion stated on Sunday.

Nadal’s newest damage casts recent doubts concerning the former world primary’s capacity to compete on the elite degree once more after he beforehand stated that he expects to complete his glittering however injury-plagued profession in 2024.

He made his long-awaited return to aggressive tennis in Brisbane after spending nearly a yr out on the sidelines with a hip flexor damage sustained throughout his second spherical defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in final yr’s Australian Open.

The 37-year-old didn’t compete once more final season after present process surgical procedure in June and suffered an higher left leg subject throughout his defeat by Jordan Thompson within the quarter-finals of the tune-up occasion for the Jan. 14-28 Melbourne Park main.

“During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried,” Nadal stated in a press release on X.

“Once I received to Melbourne I’ve had the prospect to make an MRI and I’ve micro tear on a muscle, not in the identical half the place I had the damage and that is good news.

“Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in five sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.”

Nadal, who gained the Australian Open in 2009 and 2022, stated he had labored extraordinarily arduous to make his comeback in the course of the yr and pressured that regardless of the newest setback his objective was to be at his greatest in three months.

Nadal additionally stated in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais lately that he was occupied with the French Open, the place he has gained 14 of his main titles.

“Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this isn’t very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season,” Nadal added.

“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.”

Source: www.anews.com.tr