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The Australian Open got underway on Sunday but one big name was nowhere to be seen.
The curtain-raiser for an action-packed season of tennis, Novak Djokovic is hoping to win the title Down Under for a record-extending 11th time, with a host of young rivals looking to dethrone the all-conquering champion. Rafael Nadal, however, won’t be challenging the Serbian for his crown this time around.
Mail Sport explains why Nadal does not feature in Melbourne, and what it could mean for his tennis future.
Why is Rafael Nadal not playing at the Australian Open?
The Spanish hero, 37, was aiming to make a huge return to the court this month, having been sidelined for much of 2023 with a career-threatening hip injury.
And all the signs were positive when he competed at the Brisbane International, a warm-up tournament ahead of the first major of the year.
Nadal beat former US Open champion Dominic Thiem before dispatching of Jason Kubler in Queensland.
But his defeat against hometown hero Jordan Thompson was a heartbreaking one for Nadal, with ‘a small problem’ causing the Spaniard to withdraw from the Australian Open.
Nadal insisted that a scan showed the injury was not a long-term issue, in a sign of ‘good news’ for fans, but he was ‘not ready to compete’ for the duration of a five-set match
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Fans are hopeful that Nadal can return for the French Open, a tournament he has dominated since hia competition debut almost 20 years ago.
He has long ear-marked 2024 as his swansong season, with the Spaniard eager to wave goodbye to all corners of the world following his illustrious career.
He will, then, be desperate to feature in Rolland Garros, where he has won the French Open a stunning 14 times.
As for the Australian Open, tournament director Craig Tiley has not yet ruled out the possibility of Nadal playing at Melbourne Park in 2025.
‘I’m absolutely planning on seeing him next year,’ Tiley said when asked whether Nadal may not return to the Open.
‘I’m planning on seeing him tonight for a private catch-up, which we always do, before he leaves town in the next few days and then I’ll ask him that same question.
