End of an era as Rafael Nadal heralds first year without this statistic at Australian Open since 1999

Rafael Nadal announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 Australian Open on Sunday morning with the news seeing a sad start to the comeback of the great Spaniard and also the end of an era in many ways.

Nadal withdrawing means that for the first time since 1999, it heralds the first year that either Nadal or Roger Federer won't play in the showpiece major in Melbourne. It is also the first time in 11 years that he will not play the tournament and could likely see his final opportunity of lifting the title in Melbourne come to an end.

The withdrawal is amidst a successful but unsuccessful return to Australia with many purring over his opening wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler especially given his time away from the court.

But in facing Jordan Thompson disaster struck and especially with his recent injury history, many feared the worst. After his hip issues, it was the same as his last injury but on a different side and not on the spot where it went catastrophically wrong against Mackenzie McDonald in Melbourne last year.

But instead, he has a micro tear in his thigh which is preventing him from playing. Many did not expect Nadal to figure at the highest level against till Roland Garros, but this is now a huge setback with the likelihood being barring a quick return in Dubai or Acapulco or even a South American clay tournament, he won't play until at least Indian Wells or Miami likely undercooked and having to start again after saying that he would play a near full calendar if his body allows. Back to the drawing board for Nadal and history has been erased with this latest withdrawal.