Rafael Nadal of Spain will be out for roughly eight weeks after suffering an injury at the Australian Open. Nadal lost in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald, his poorest Grand Slam results in seven years. Following the defeat, Nadal took to Twitter to reveal a Grade 2 tear in the iliopsoas muscle in his left leg.
The top seed at the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal, was far from his best before the tournament.
He had lost seven of his last nine competitive matches, and there were serious questions about his fitness following an abdomen ailment that kept him out for most of the second part of 2022.
The Spaniard will now be out for over two months.
MRI shows grade 2 injury in iliopsoas muscle: Rafael Nadal
“I have undergone medical tests after losing yesterday,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “The MRI shows a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle in my left leg. Now it’s time for sports rest and anti-inflammatory physiotherapy. Normal recovery time 6 to 8 weeks.” The iliopsoas muscle is notable for its location in the hip. His injury worsened during the second round of the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal withdraws from the Australian Open
Nadal was knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round by McDonald. Defending champion Rafael Nadal was forced to retire due to an injury. The 36-year-old was trailing by a set when he stopped with a hip ailment. Nadal got a medical timeout at the end of the second set but lost 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
Rafael Nadal’s forgettable records
According to Opta, Gustavo Kuerten was the last top seed to be eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open before Nadal (in 2001). Notably, Rafael Nadal has now lost four consecutive matches against Americans (Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, and McDonald).
Nadal’s earliest exit since the 2016 Australian Open.
As previously noted, Rafael Nadal was defeated 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in the second round of the Australian Open. He was defeated in two hours and 32 minutes. It marked Nadal’s earliest major exit since the first round of the Australian Open in 2016.
When will Rafael Nadal return?
Rafael Nadal is anticipated to make a comeback during the European clay season. According to The Indian Express, the Spaniard would most likely compete in three Masters 1000 tournaments as well as the ATP 500 clay-court competition in Barcelona. Nadal will then compete at the French Open seeking a record-extending 15th championship. The 36-year-old is currently the man with the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles (22).