An injury sustained at the Brisbane International will force Rafael Nadal to miss Australian Open 2024.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who won the title at Melbourne Park in 2022, announced his withdrawal in a social media post on Sunday.
“During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried,” he wrote.
“Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have (a) 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 five sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.”
Nadal won two matches at the Brisbane International in what was his first competitive outing in almost a year.
He sustained a hip injury during a second-round loss at AO 2023, which eventually necessitated surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the season.
The 37-year-old looked impressive as he swatted aside Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in two appearances at Pat Rafter Arena earlier this week.
But in his third, a quarterfinal against Jordan Thompson, he was extended to the limit in a match lasting almost three-and-a-half hours.
Thompson saved three match points in the second set before eventually overcoming Nadal, who required a medical timeout in the third set.
The physical issue ultimately put an end to his comeback – for now.
“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 three months,” Nadal continued.
“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.”
Australian Open 2024 begins at Melbourne Park on Sunday 14 January.