Rafael Nadal has provided further information about his injury setback following elimination at the 2024 Brisbane International.
Nadal had three match points in his quarter-final clash against Jordan Thompson but couldn't take advantage as the clash went to a final set. In the concluding set, the Spanish player needed a medical timeout after he felt pain in his hip - the same area he injured during the Australian Open last year.
Initially, the 22-time Grand Slam winner was cautious about the injury and explained post-match that he was going to take things day by day whilst understanding more about the setback.
However, Nadal has issued more details and said his ultimate aim is to be back to full strength in a few months.
"Yeah, is a very similar place to what happened last year, but different stuff, no? I feel more muscle. Last year was tendon. I feel the muscle tired. I mean, for sure is not the same like last year at all because when it happened last year, I felt something drastic immediately. "
"Today I didn't feel anything. The only problem is because the place is the same, you are a little bit more scared than usual."
The latest injury scare for Nadal has put his participation in the upcoming Australian Open in doubt. As the 37-year-old appears to be cautious about the injury, it is perhaps a sign that the injury could be worse than initially thought.
"In ideal world, I mean, is just the muscle supercharged after a few days of effort and a very tough match. That's will be the ideal thing, something that we know that can happen today. That is why I'm talking all the time that my goal is to try to be competitive in a few months."
But until Nadal and his team issue an official confirmation, he remains on track to compete in Melbourne. The two-time Australian Open winner last won the Grand Slam in 2022.
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