Unfortunately, Rafael Nadal has decided to withdraw from the Australian Open due to a micro tear on a muscle that was discovered during an MRI scan at the Brisbane International. This has caused speculation that the 37-year-old may have played his last professional match in Australia.
The 22-time champion of grand slam tournaments returned to competition in Brisbane after being absent for nearly a year due to an injury sustained at the Australian Open in January of last year.
In June, Nadal underwent surgery on his left hip’s psoas tendon. Prior to his return to singles play in Brisbane, he mentioned that there was a possibility that the 2024 tennis season could be his final one.
Even though the most recent obstacle is not linked to his previous hip injury, the Spanish athlete ultimately determined on Sunday morning that he is not in sufficient condition to participate in this year’s initial major event. However, he remains optimistic for the rest of the season.
In a statement on X, Nadal expressed concern about a muscle issue that arose during his recent match in Brisbane.
“After arriving in Melbourne, I was able to undergo an MRI which revealed a micro tear in a muscle. Fortunately, it is not in the same area as my previous injury. However, I am currently not prepared to participate in five-set matches at my highest capacity. I will be returning to Spain to consult with my doctor, receive treatment, and rest.”
“I have put in a lot of effort this year for my comeback and, as I’ve always said, my aim is to be at my peak in three months,” stated Nadal. “While it’s disappointing that I won’t be able to compete in front of the incredible Melbourne audience, this isn’t terrible news and we’re all staying optimistic for the rest of the season. I was eager to play here in Australia and was fortunate to have a few matches that brought me joy and boosted my morale.”
Nadal showed strong form in Brisbane, defeating Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler to advance to the quarter-finals. However, his comeback was cut short in a tough three-and-a-half-hour match against Australian Jordan Thompson. Nadal’s performance was affected by a leg injury, which was likely due to playing three matches in four days after being sidelined for almost a year.
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Unfortunately, Liam Broady has had to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an injury. He was defeated by Andrey Rublev in the second round of the Hong Kong Open earlier this week and has stated that he has two bone stresses in his ankle which have worsened and affected his movement on court in his last match.
Upon my arrival in Melbourne, I underwent an MRI scan that confirmed the source of my pain. If I choose to continue playing, there is a significant risk of developing fractures, which could result in a longer recovery time of three months instead of just one. While it may be enticing to play through the injury and receive the full prize money, I ultimately decided it was not fair to other competitors who are fully fit and have a better chance at success.
