Rafael Nadal will miss the upcoming Australian Open in 2024 after the 20-time Grand Slam winner confirmed on Sunday that the Spaniard suffered a muscle strain during his final match at the Brisbane International.
Rafael Nadal, 37, has just returned from a 12-month absence and has played one double and two singles matches in the past 15 days but is now on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Jordan Thompson. These are going to happen On Friday (January 5).
Taking X, formerly Twitter, the Spaniard revealed that he experienced some pain after undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which revealed a micro-tear in a new muscle.
Hi all, I had a little muscle problem during my last match in Brisbane which bothered me. “Once I got to Melbourne I had the chance to do an MRI and I have a micro-tear on a muscle, not the same part I hurt and that’s good news,” Rafael Nadal posted on X.
The Spaniard then confirmed that he was not fit enough to compete in five-set matches and would return to Spain to begin his rehabilitation.
“Right now I’m not ready to compete as much as possible in 5-set matches. I’m going back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment, and rest,” he added.
Nadal has previously expressed that 2024 could be his last tennis as the Spaniard will turn 38 in June this year. He had wanted to participate in the Paris Olympics this year but given his constant battle with injuries, it seems likely that the 20-time Grand Slam winner will be in contention.
For now, Nadal can aim to mark his return to his favorite venue, Roland Garros, a major he has won 14 times, starting in May 2024.
