Two-time Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal has announced that he will miss the 2024 tournament due to a fresh muscular problem.
The Spaniard had only just made his highly-anticipated comeback from a serious hip injury at this year's Brisbane International as a wildcard, having previously not played since last year's Australian Open after undergoing surgery.
Nadal's opening match saw the 37-year-old produce a vintage display to overcome another former major winner in Dominic Thiem, before defeating fellow wildcard Jason Kubler in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals.
Nadal faced another home favourite in Jordan Thompson for a place in the semi-finals, where he took the first set but missed three match points as the Australian marched to an enthralling 5-7 7-6[5] 6-3 win.
During the closing stages of the captivating contest, Nadal's movement was visibly impaired, and he admitted after the match that he was "not 100% sure" that he would be fit for the opening Grand Slam of the year.
The 37-year-old took to X - formerly known as Twitter - on Sunday morning to announce that his injury would prevent him from playing in Melbourne, although he confirmed that the issue was separate to his devastating hip problem from last year.
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
"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," Nadal wrote.
"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. 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. Thanks all for the support and see you soon! Rafa."
Nadal was due to enter the 2024 Australian Open with a protected ranking, having dropped to 672nd in the world owing to his lengthy hiatus, and his withdrawal means that Frenchman Quentin Halys has been promoted to the main draw from qualifying.
The first Grand Slam event of the year begins on January 14.
Ben Knapton
