Following an injury sustained during the quarter-finals of the Brisbane tournament, Rafael Nadal, known as "The Bull of Mallorca," has regretfully announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Australian Open.
The 37-year-old tennis legend, who recently made a comeback after a year-long absence due to injury, expressed concerns about a small muscle problem that became apparent during his quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane.
Nadal, having undergone an MRI in Melbourne, revealed a small tear in the muscle, not at the same location as the previous injury, providing some relief. However, acknowledging his current inability to compete at the highest level in five-set matches, he has decided to return to Spain for treatment and rest.
In a statement on the social network X, Nadal explained, "I've worked very hard over the past year for this comeback, and I've always stated that my goal is to be at my best in three months." Despite the disappointment of missing out on playing in front of the Melbourne crowd, he remains positive, thanking everyone for their support.
Nadal, with 22 career Grand Slam titles, is considered one of the greatest tennis players in history, sharing the spotlight with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. His victories include 14 titles at Roland Garros, four at the US Open, two at the Australian Open, and two at Wimbledon.
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