Nadal withdraws from the Australian Open with an harm only one match into his comeback | Sports activities

Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open with an harm per week earlier than the season’s first main was as a consequence of begin after taking part in only one match in his comeback from 12 months on the sidelines.

Nadal stated he had considerations over his surgically repaired hip after needing a medical timeout within the third set of his Brisbane Worldwide quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson on Friday.

The 22-time main winner initially stated it appeared like extra of a muscular drawback than the tendon subject that brought about him a lot ache this time final yr.

However he posted on social media Sunday that scans after he arrived in Melbourne revealed a small tear within the muscle and he was flying again to Spain for remedy.

“Proper now I’m not able to compete on the most degree,” he stated on X, previously referred to as Twitter.

“I’ve labored very arduous in the course of the yr for this comeback and as I at all times talked about my aim is to be at my greatest degree in 3 months,” he stated. “Inside the unhappy information for me for not having the ability to play in entrance of the superb Melbourne crowds, this isn’t very unhealthy information and all of us stay constructive with the evolution for the season.

“I actually wished to play right here in Australia and I’ve had the possibility to play a number of matches that made me very glad and constructive.”

Nadal received his first two aggressive matches in a yr earlier than dropping to Thompson. He wasted three match factors within the second set with uncharacteristic errors in his quarterfinal earlier than dropping in three.

“Numerous issues could be taking place in a physique like my physique after a yr with out taking part in tennis,” he stated after the loss to Thompson. “So hopefully it’s simply that, only a muscle that’s supercharged. If that’s the factor, good.”

The 37-year-old Spaniard opened the match with straight-sets wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler however was pushed for 3 hours and 25 minutes by Thompson in what was his third match in 4 nights.

Nadal was taking part in on a wild card in Brisbane however had a protected rating for the Australian Open that will have given him a begin within the 128-player foremost draw.

The Australian Open is because of begin Jan. 14 at Melbourne Park, with No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic — who has a file 24 Grand Slam singles titles — favourite to win.

Enroll for our weekly e-newsletter to get extra English-language information protection from EL PAÍS USA Version