Nadal withdraws from Australian Open with new injury

Rafael Nadal has announced that he will be absent from the upcoming Australian Open this month due to a minor muscle tear. The 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed this setback on Sunday, raising concerns about his ability to compete at the highest level, especially since he had previously indicated that he anticipates concluding his illustrious yet injury-ridden career in 2024.

Nadal’s return to competitive tennis in Brisbane marked the end of an almost year-long hiatus, during which he grappled with a hip flexor injury sustained in the second round of last year’s Australian Open against Mackenzie McDonald. The 37-year-old, who did not participate in any competitions for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery in June, encountered an upper left leg issue during his quarter-final loss to Jordan Thompson in a prelude to the Melbourne Park major.

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Addressing the recent setback, Nadal explained, “During my last match in Brisbane, I had a small problem on a muscle that, as you know, made me worried.” Further medical evaluation in Melbourne revealed a micro tear in a muscle, although not in the same area as the previous injury, which he considers to be good news.

“At present, I am not prepared to compete at the maximum level of demand in five-set matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, receive treatment, and take some time to rest,” Nadal stated in a release.