Rafael Nadal has announced that he won't be able to compete at the Australian Open this year after suffering another injury issue during the Brisbane International.
Nadal returned to competitive tennis this week after almost a year out having not played since last year's Australian Open.
The Spaniard won his first two matches in straight sets, but then pulled up with an issue against Jordan Thompson in the quarter-final and lost.
He has since undergone a scan on his hip, where it showed a "micro tear".
Rafael Nadal will not play in the Australian Open
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Nadal has downplayed the severity of the injury, insisting it's not the same place as the one that kept him out of playing the majority of the 2023 season.
However, he admits to not being ready yet to play five-set matches that would be required at 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," Nadal wrote on social media.
"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.
"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 3 months.
"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."
Nadal's withdrawal from the Australian Open raises doubts on whether he will ever play in the major Down Under again.
Rafael Nadal suffered the hip injury in Brisbane
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Speaking last year, Nadal admitted that the 2024 season may well be his last on the ATP Tour before retiring.
However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn't set anything in stone in case his physical fitness improves to the point that he's happy to continue playing beyond this year.
"There's every chance that it's going to be my last year and I'm going to enjoy the tournaments in that way," Nadal said last month.
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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.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 7, 2024
Right… pic.twitter.com/WpApfzjf3C
"I don't want to announce it because in the end I don't know what can happen and I have to give myself the opportunity not to say one thing as then I'll be a slave to what I said.
"I think it's going to be like that but I can't be 100 per cent sure because in the end I've worked a lot to come back to compete and if suddenly things and my physique allow me to continue and enjoy what I do, why am I going to set a deadline?
"I think it makes no sense."
