Australian Open 2023: Rafael Nadal injury confirmed after MRI results revealed

Rafael Nadal will spend a lengthy stint on the sideline after scans revealed the extent of the injury suffered in his second round loss at the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal. Picture: AFP

Rafael Nadal is set for an extended period of time on the sidelines following the results of an MRI scan in Melbourne.

The Spanish superstar was knocked out of the Australian Open on Wednesday, suffering what has now been diagnosed as a grade 2 injury of the iliopsoas in his left leg.

According to Nadal’s camp, he plans to treat the injury with rest and anti-inflammatory physiotherapy.

The normal recovery time for an injury of this nature is between six and eight weeks.

Nadal’s team released a short statement on Twitter on Thursday: “Good afternoon. I have carried out medical tests after the defeat yesterday. The MRI shows a grade 2 lesion in the Iliacus Psoas of his left leg. Now it’s sports rest and anti-inflammatory physiotherapy. Normal recovery time 6 to 8 weeks.”

Buenas tardes. He realizado pruebas médicas tras la derrota en el día de ayer. La resonancia magnética muestra una lesión grado 2 en el Psoas Iliaco de su pierna izquierda. Ahora toca reposo deportivo y fisioterapia anti inflamatoria. Tiempo normal de recuperación 6 a 8 semanas. pic.twitter.com/xwcKSyTzhp

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 19, 2023

NADAL FACES UP TO GRIM REALITY

Do the tennis gods have no shame?

If they had any sense of decency, they would allow Rafa Nadal the Australian Open farewell he deserves.

Whether that’s next near - or even further in the future - no-one knows for sure, because nothing is guaranteed any more.

Already 35, and constantly battling injuries, Nadal’s time is running out faster than he wants.

On Wednesday, he was beaten in the second round by American journeyman Mackenzie McDonald 6-4 6-4 7-5.

McDonald played the match of his life but Nadal injured himself early in the third set and needed a medical time-out.

“We will never know if McDonald would have won this one straight up without the injury. He was in command. He was up a set and a break when Nadal’s body betrayed him,” Two-time Australian Open champion Jim Courier said.

Rafael Nadal battled through injury in his second round loss. Picture: AFP

“McDonald was playing excellent tennis. Nadal has been struggling to find his game since he suffered the abdominal injury at Wimbledon last year. This is far more troubling for Nadal than just simply not being in form. He’s now not in fitness. How long will it be before we get to see him out competing again?”

He returned to the court but couldn’t hit his backhand properly or move freely. Almost anyone else would have quit but as the defending champion he felt obliged to fight on to the bitter end, even though it was a lost cause.

“I am old enough to take my own decisions,” Nadal said.

“I didn‘t want to leave the court with a retirement. It’s better like this at the end. I lost. Nothing to say. Congratulate the opponent… Just try your best.. doesn’t matter the chances that you have.”

Nadal is doing everything in his power to delay the inevitable but he’s on a hiding to nothing because no-one has ever beaten Father Time.

Rafael Nadal is battling Father Time. Picture: David Caird

Nadal won’t say it himself but it’s highly possible he won’t ever play the Australian Open again.

At the very least, he’s at long odds to ever win the trophy for a third time because his ailing body is screaming for a rest.

“Sometimes it‘s frustrating. Sometimes it’s difficult to accept. Sometimes you feel super tired about all this stuff in terms of injuries,” Nadal said.

“It‘s a tough moment. It’s a tough day, and you need to accept that, and keep going. You know, in the end, I can’t complain about my life at all. So just in terms of sports and in terms of injuries and tough moments.

“I just can‘t say that I am not destroyed mentally at this time.”

The sight of Nadal battling through his second round loss to McDonald was both inspiring and heartbreaking.

His wife, watching from the Rod Laver Arena stands, was in tears.

Last year, when he was playing through agonising pain at Wimbledon, his own father urged him to quit.

Now, questions will be asked whether it’s time he hung up his racquet for his own health now that he’s a dad.

He certainly has nothing left to prove.

Nadal already has 22 grand slam singles titles and even if Novak Djokovic overtakes him to become the GOAT, his place in the pantheon of tennis greats is already assured.

A dejected Rafael Nadal on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty

Professional tennis can be a cruel sport but what makes it so alluring has nothing to do with numbers or statistics - because it’s about the moments.

Nadal’s final moment at the Australian Open - whenever that is - really deserves to be better than what happened on Wednesday.

Roger Federer never got a fitting send off, and it’s unsure whether Nadal will either even though he’s philosophical about it.

“It’s a very simple thing: I like what I do. I like playing tennis. I know it’s not forever,” he said.

“I like to fight for the things that I have been fighting for almost half of my life or even more. And that‘s it. It’s not that complicated to understand.

“Sacrifice is when you are doing things that you don‘t want to do, you know. And that was not my case.

“Of course it’s tiring and frustrating…but I accept it quite well.

“The last seven months have been another tough period of time but I don‘t know what can happen in the future.

“Let’s see how the injury is, and then let’s see how I can manage to follow the calendar.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2023: Rafael Nadal injury confirmed after MRI results revealed