Rafael Nadal will not play the Australian Open. WILLIAM WEST / AFP
Victim of a muscle tear during his quarter-final in Brisbane, the Spaniard, back on the courts after a year without playing, announced on Sunday that he was withdrawing from the Australian Open draw.
Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open on Sunday due to a “micro muscle tear», less than a week after making his return after a year of absence, due to injury, during the Brisbane tournament.
“For the moment, I am not ready to play five-set matches at the maximum level of demand. I’m going back to Spain to see my doctor, get treatment and rest“, he declared on his social networks, two days after his defeat in the quarter-finals in Brisbane.
“Be at my best level in three months”
During this match lasting more than three hours against the Australian Jordan Thompson (55th in the world), the 37-year-old Spanish star felt muscular discomfort in his left thigh at the end of the match.
“Once I arrived in Melbourne, I had the chance to do an MRI and I have a micro muscle tear, but not in the same area where I had already had an injury and that is good news“, he explained.
“I have worked very hard throughout the year for this comeback and, as I have always said, my goal is to be at my best level in three months“, he continued.
The former world No. 1 with 22 Grand Slam titles, falling to 672 rank after his long interruption, had not played singles since his defeat in the second round of the Australian Open on January 18, 2023, disabled by a hip injury.
After two operations and months of rehabilitation, the Majorcan made his return on Tuesday January 2 in the first round in Brisbane, easily dismissing the Austrian Dominic Thiem (7-5, 6-1). He then swept aside Australian Jason Kubler, 102nd in the world (6-1, 6-2), on Thursday before stopping in the quarter.
“Although I’m sad that I won’t be able to play in front of the incredible crowd in Melbourne, it’s not bad news and we’re all staying positive about how the season is going.“, wanted to reassure “Rafa“.