Izuchukwu OkosiTwo-time Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal on Sunday announced via his X (Twitter) account that he will miss the 2024 tournament due to a fresh muscular problem.
The Spaniard had only just made his comeback from a serious hip injury at this year’s Brisbane International as a wildcard.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn fact Nadal had defeated Dominic Thiem who himself had also won the Australian Open in the past before overcoming fellow wildcard entrant, Jason Kubler in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals.
A game against Australian Jordan Thompson for a place in the semi-finals was Nadal’s reward for that victory. Nädal subsequently took the first set but inadvertently missed three match points as the opponent marched on to an enthralling 5-7 7-6[5] 6-3 win.
As the game wind down, Nadal was noticeably struggling with his movements and the worst fears was confirmed after the captivating game when he admitted that he was not 100% sure to be fit for the Australian Open.
“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.”
Nadal had disclosed in 2023 that the new year, 2024 could be his last in the Grand Slams meaning that he might have played his last Australian Open.
The Spaniard who loves football as his second best sport and supports Real Madrid will now look forward to the Roland Garros in May – as well as the Wimbledon and US Open.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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