Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Giuseppe Muro

Rafael Nadal to miss Australian Open because of hip injury

Rafael Nadal will miss the Australian Open because of a hip injury he sustained at the Brisbane International.

Nadal made his long-awaited return after almost a year out this week, winning his first two matches in Brisbane in straight sets.

But the Spaniard was injured in his quarter-final defeat to Jordan Thompson on Friday and will now return to Spain for treatment.

Nadal said a scan had shown a micro tear on a muscle, but not in the same area as his previous long-term injury.

In a post on social media, Nadal said: "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 five sets matches. I'm flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.

Nadal added: "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.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.