Rafael Nadal pulls out of Australian Open 2024 due to injury, to return to Spain for treatment and rest
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal confirmed his withdrawal from the Australian Open, saying he suffered a setback due to a micro tear in his muscle during his quarter-final defeat.
In Brisbane International. Nadal, however, confirmed that it was not a recurrence of his hip injury and that he saw it as “good news” as he prepares to return to Spain for rest and recovery.
Nadal suffered an injury scare during the quarter-final defeat to Jordan Thompson of Australia in Brisbane International. Nadal battled hard in a contest that extended to 3 hours and 26 minutes last week. Nadal gave it his all, but the injury seemed to have set him back as he missed two match points in the second set tie-breaker. Nadal lost to Thompson in three sets after two clinical wins in his first two rounds, including one against Dominic Thiem.
After the quarter-final exit in Brisbane on January 5, Nadal had said he was not 100 percent sure of participating in the Australian Open and that he would take a final call after seeing the scan results.
“Hi all, 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,” Nadal said in an emotional Instagram post on Sunday, January 7.
“Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in 5 set-matches. Therefore I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.
“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.
Nadal returned to competitive action for the first time in close to a year at the Brisbane International, an ATP 250 tournament in the lead-up to Australian Open, starting January 14. While he lost in the first round of doubles with his long-time friend Marc Lopez, the Spaniard looked in good rhythm in the first two rounds of his singles campaign before the marathon against Jordan Thompson in the quarter-final.
Nadal needed medical time-out during the third set of his quarter-final, leaving the Brisbane fans and his followers from the rest of the world concerned.
Nadal underwent hip surgery to treat long-standing concerns in 2023 as he was out of action following his second-round exit at Australian Open 2023.
‘NOT VERY BAD NEWS’: NADAL UPBEAT
Nadal remained upbeat about the rest of the season, saying the latest injury was not “very bad news” and that he pulled out of Australian Open, knowing he wouldn’t be at his best.
“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. 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.
Thanks all for the support and see you soon!” he added.
Nadal has plenty of time to recover and return to French Open where he has won as many as 14 titles. The Spaniard remained upbeat in his statement on Sunday, showing confidence that he will be able to put behind the recent setback and return to action sooner than later.
Notably, Nadal said last year that 2024 might be his last season on the professional tour.