Rafael Nadal will not play in the Australian Open. The Spanish player has confirmed it through his 'X' account. He suffers a thigh micro-tear that is not related to his serious injury of 2023, but that will prevent him from playing the first Grand Slam of the season.
He admits that it is "good news" that the thigh problem is in a different place and regrets not being able to play in Melbourne, assuring that the best thing to be able to play later in the season is to return to Spain to recover:
"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 set 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 with the evolution for the season. I really wanted to play here in Australia and I have had the chance to play a few matches that made me very happy and positive," said Nadal.
So, the next thing we will see is how Rafa recovers and if he intends to play the American tour of Indian Wells or Miami or, as we hope, if he focuses on the clay court tour, the surface that less punishes his fatigued physique, and focuses on getting well to Roland Garros and the Olympic Games in Paris 2024;
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…
