Rafa Nadal’s hopes for the Australian Open have been dashed as he announced his withdrawal due to a new hip injury. The Spanish champion suffered the tear in his hip during a match against Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International, where he initially tried to downplay the severity of the issue.
However, it was revealed on Sunday night that Nadal would not be able to compete in the Australian Open. The injury is not related to the one that forced him to miss 12 months of action following last year’s Australian Open.
Nadal, a 22-time grand slam champion, took to social media to share the news with his fans, expressing his disappointment but also his determination to recover and return to the court. He mentioned that he is flying back to Spain to see his doctor, receive treatment, and rest.
With rumors swirling that 2024 may be Nadal’s last year in professional tennis, this latest setback has raised concerns about his future in the sport. Despite this setback, Nadal remains focused on his goal of performing at his best level in three months, with the French Open in May being his main priority.
Tennis fans and commentators have expressed their support for Nadal, with many sending messages of encouragement and well wishes for his recovery. The news of his withdrawal has left fans devastated, as they hope to see the beloved champion back on the court soon.