Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming ATP tournaments in Doha and Dubai, as was widely anticipated. After suffering a Grade 2 iliopsoas injury in the second round of the Australian Open, which caused him to injure his left hip, the player announced that he would be taking a break to allow his hip to heal.
In the closing moments of the second set of his match against Mackenzie McDonald, which he lost 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, Nadal suffered an injury to his left leg. After undergoing the preliminary examinations in Melbourne, Rafa went on to complete the rest of them in Barcelona, where the results were validated. The Spaniard is currently not training on the court as he waits for the results of the second round, but he is hoping to start doing so in the coming weeks.
Although nothing is certain at this time, Nadal plans to compete at Indian Wells in March and will make an effort to do so. A player who has won 22 major championships has only played 13 matches since the previous year’s Wimbledon, with a record of five wins and eight losses. As a result of his most recent injury, Rafael Nadal is in danger of falling out of the top 10 for the first time since April 2005. Nadal was defending 1100 points heading into the tournaments in Acapulco and Indian Wells.
Rafa arrived in Melbourne without any form, having battled an injury for several months prior to experiencing a second injury during his match against McDonald at Rod Laver Arena.
In March, Rafael Nadal will work hard to get ready for the tournament in Indian Wells.
The victory by the American over the Spaniard was the earliest defeat for Rafa Nadal at a Major tournament since 2016. It occurred in straight sets.
After suffering two defeats in the United Cup, Nadal arrived in Melbourne, where he was able to advance past the first round but had significant difficulties in the second. McDonald performed admirably and maintained his concentration despite competing against an opponent who was injured. The American finished in first place despite losing his serve three times and producing five breaks out of a total of eight opportunities.
He got off to a blazing start and defeated the reigning champion in the first and fifth games of the opening round in fewer than twenty minutes each. In game six, Nadal was able to cut the deficit in half by breaking, but McDonald was able to save a break point when she was serving for the set at 5-4.
The beginning of the second set featured back-to-back breaks, and Rafa was broken once more at the 3-3 tiebreaker point. In the eighth game, the American scored an ace to solidify his lead, and the Spaniard requested a medical timeout due to discomfort in his left hip.
Rafa left the court to receive treatment and held in game nine to prolong the set despite appearing to be having a difficult time. After Nadal made a mistake with his forehand at 5-4, McDonald was able to close out the set and move closer to the finish line. In spite of having difficulty running or hitting backhands, Rafa persisted and tried his best throughout the third set.
He saved a break point at 4-4 by serving an ace and holding his ground to remain in the running. Mackenzie evened the score at 5-5 and then won the following game with a backhand winner down the line. This gave her the breaking point she needed to win the match. In game 12, the American clinched the victory with a service winner, dethroning the Spanish player in the process.
Nadal is eager to get back to 100 percent and compete at his best, so he will not take any chances with an early comeback, at least not during the clay swing that takes place in April, May, and June.
