Nadal Will Miss Australian Open Due to Minor Muscle Tear

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday January 7, 2024

Rafael Nadal has suffered a microtear to a muscle near his hip and will miss the Australian Open as a result. The Spaniard, who won two matches last week at Brisbane but suffered an injury in his quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson, announced the news on Sunday.

“During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried,” Nadal wrote on social media. “Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news. Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in 5 sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.”

Hi all, during my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried. Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news.
Right… pic.twitter.com/WpApfzjf3C

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 7, 2024

The 22-time major champion added: “I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in 3 months. Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season. I really wanted to play here in Australia and I have had the chance to play a few matches that made me very happy and positive.”