Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Australian Open, marking a setback in his comeback journey after a year on the sidelines. Following his participation in just one tournament, the Brisbane International, Nadal expressed concerns about his surgically repaired hip. In the quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson, he required a medical timeout in the third set.
Initially, Nadal attributed the issue to a possible muscular problem rather than a recurrence of the tendon issue that troubled him a year ago. However, subsequent scans in Melbourne revealed a small tear in the muscle. Consequently, the 22-time major winner announced on social media that he would be returning to Spain for treatment.
In his statement, Nadal acknowledged that he is currently not prepared to compete at the maximum level required for five-set matches. The Australian Open, scheduled to commence on January 14 at Melbourne Park, will now proceed without the iconic Spanish player. This development adds a layer of uncertainty to Nadal’s immediate tennis future and raises questions about his recovery timeline.