The tennis season begins in earnest subsequent weekend on the Australian Open, however one of many sport’s brightest stars will not be there to compete.
Rafael Nadal, the Spanish legend who has made the Australian Open closing six occasions and received twice, announced Sunday night {that a} hip damage will sideline him from the 2024 event.
Nadal has been absent from top-level tennis for nearly a yr after choosing up an identical hip damage in Australia in 2023.
After present process surgical procedure in June, the 22-time Grand Slam winner made his aggressive comeback in Brisbane final week. He progressed to the quarterfinals earlier than being overwhelmed by Australia’s Jordan Thompson.
2024 appears to be like set to be an emotional season for Nadal. Whereas he has not confirmed something to the media, he is admitted that it could be his final aggressive season in singles tennis — and that this damage might have ruined his final likelihood to play within the Australian Open.
“The issue about saying ‘that is going to be my final season’ is that I can not predict what is going on on 100% sooner or later,” he said. “That is what I say ‘most likely.’ It is apparent that it is a excessive proportion [2024] goes to be my final time taking part in right here in Australia.”
Nadal will return to Spain for extra remedies earlier than making calls on his availability for future tournaments. He has described his damage as a “micro tear” that’s “not in the identical half” of his hip as his season-ending damage from 2023.
Meaning we must always see extra of Nadal this year–just not down beneath.
The Australian Open kicks off its opening rounds on Jan. 13.
