Rafa Nadal withdraws from Australian Open after suffering new injury

Nadal, who had been absent from competition for nearly a year due to a hip flexor injury, finally returned to action at the Brisbane tournament.

However, his comeback was short-lived as he suffered an upper left leg problem during a match against Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals of a warm-up event for the Australian Open. Despite these setbacks, Nadal remained optimistic.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the 37-year-old explained that he encountered a small muscle issue during his last match in Brisbane, which raised concerns for him.

Upon arriving in Melbourne, he underwent an MRI scan and received the somewhat positive news that there was a micro tear in a different muscle area, unrelated to his previous injury.

Although Nadal expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete at the highest level in five-set matches, he disclosed his plans to return to Spain to consult with his doctor, receive treatment, and recuperate.

The Spanish tennis champion, who has previously clinched the Australian Open titles in 2009 and 2022, also shared his thoughts about the French Open, where he has triumphed with 14 major victories.

Despite the disappointment of not being able to perform in front of the enthusiastic Melbourne crowds, Nadal emphasized the importance of remaining positive and expressed hope for his season's progression.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play a few matches in Australia that brought him joy and optimism in his recovery journey.