NEW DELHI: Rafael Nadal is unsure over his participation in the upcoming Australian Open following his loss to Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.
The 22-time Grand Slam champions, who recently returned to the court after nearly a year on hiatus due to a hip injury suffered during the 2023 Australian Open, on Friday left the court for a medical timeout during his match against Thompson.
Having undergone surgery in June and not competing for the entire previous season, the 37-year-old had chosen the Brisbane International as a preparatory event for the Australian Open, scheduled to commence on January 14. Now, uncertainties surround Nadal’s readiness and potential participation in the upcoming major tournament.
“I hope I can train next week and play the Australian Open, but I’m not 100 percent sure,” Nadal said after his 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 defeat.
Nadal, however, did not wish to make excuses or play down his opponent’s achievement.
“What matters now is that I’ve been able to play three matches in Brisbane. My opponent played very well and you have to give him credit,” the Spaniard said.
“I don’t think it’s the time to talk about that (degree of pain during the match). I have to leave satisfied and congratulate the opponent. We’ll see how I wake up tomorrow and the day after.”
Nadal said the pain is in the left hip, which caused him to miss so much time away from the court, but it may not be the same issue.
“The pain is in the same place, but I feel like it’s a bit more muscular because of the tiredness.
“Last season it was the tendon and the feeling was completely different because I felt it a lot more. Today I didn’t feel anything, what happens is that being the same place you get more scared.”
Nadal has won the Australian Open twice, in 2009 and 2022, and is still hopeful of making this year’s tournament, but does not expect to be challenging for the title.
“I hope it’s just that I have a strong muscle after several days of playing and a tough match like this with Thompson,” Nadal said.
“I already said that my goal was to be competitive in a couple of months.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champions, who recently returned to the court after nearly a year on hiatus due to a hip injury suffered during the 2023 Australian Open, on Friday left the court for a medical timeout during his match against Thompson.
Having undergone surgery in June and not competing for the entire previous season, the 37-year-old had chosen the Brisbane International as a preparatory event for the Australian Open, scheduled to commence on January 14. Now, uncertainties surround Nadal’s readiness and potential participation in the upcoming major tournament.
“I hope I can train next week and play the Australian Open, but I’m not 100 percent sure,” Nadal said after his 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 defeat.
Nadal, however, did not wish to make excuses or play down his opponent’s achievement.
“What matters now is that I’ve been able to play three matches in Brisbane. My opponent played very well and you have to give him credit,” the Spaniard said.
“I don’t think it’s the time to talk about that (degree of pain during the match). I have to leave satisfied and congratulate the opponent. We’ll see how I wake up tomorrow and the day after.”
Nadal said the pain is in the left hip, which caused him to miss so much time away from the court, but it may not be the same issue.
“The pain is in the same place, but I feel like it’s a bit more muscular because of the tiredness.
“Last season it was the tendon and the feeling was completely different because I felt it a lot more. Today I didn’t feel anything, what happens is that being the same place you get more scared.”
Nadal has won the Australian Open twice, in 2009 and 2022, and is still hopeful of making this year’s tournament, but does not expect to be challenging for the title.
“I hope it’s just that I have a strong muscle after several days of playing and a tough match like this with Thompson,” Nadal said.
“I already said that my goal was to be competitive in a couple of months.”
