Grigor Dimitrov claimed Rafael Nadal’s latest injury setback was “the worst thing that can happen” after the Spaniard was forced to pull out of the Australian Open. The 37-year-old made his return this week after spending 12 months on the sidelines due to a left psoas injury he picked up in Melbourne last year. But he received a medical time out for his hip during his Brisbane defeat on Friday and has since confirmed that he has a “micro-tear on a muscle” and won’t be ready to play best-of-five set matches.
Nadal made his long-awaited return to competition this week – almost a year after his last match in Melbourne and seven months after he underwent arthroscopic hip surgery. There were encouraging signs when he defeated Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler without dropping a set but trouble struck during the Spaniard’s defeat to Jordan Thompson.
After blowing match points in the second set tiebreak, Nadal received physio treatment during the third and crashed out 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3. He then travelled to Melbourne for further assessments and, on Sunday, withdrew from the Australian Open. “Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news,” he said on social media.
“Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in 5 sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.” Although Nadal assured fans that the injury was not too severe, Dimitrov has now shared his concerns for the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
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The world No. 14 defeated Holger Rune to win the Brisbane International on Sunday – his first trophy since 2017. After ending his title drought, Dimitrov was asked whether he had seen the news of Nadal’s withdrawal. “Yeah, that sucks. Is it the same injury?” he asked.
After learning it was a muscle tear in a similar area, the 32-year-old continued: “What can I say? This is the worst thing that can happen. I don’t know. I hope it’s not too bad, for sure. I actually have a practice with him this week. I guess that’s not going to happen.”
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