Rafael Nadal pulls out of Australian Open 2023
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is injured again, a week after returning to the tennis court. He pulled out of the Australian Open on Sunday due to a minor muscle injury. Nadal has informed fans on social media about his exit from the Australian Open. He has returned to Spain to recover from the injury.
Nadal posted on the social media platform, “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 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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/FoFrr5AgMZ— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 7, 2024
Nadal, who returned to the Brisbane Open a week ago, lost to Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinal match of the Brisbane International on Friday in a match that lasted 3 hours 25 minutes. Thompson defeated an Nadal 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in a grueling match that ended just before midnight at Pat Rafter Arena. He saved three match points in the second set.
The win secured Thompson a place in the semi-finals against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Nadal, playing his first tournament after nearly 12 months away from the game due to injury, looked headed for a straight sets victory. But Thompson refused to go away and took advantage of some unforced errors from the Spaniard to win the second set.
