Nadal withdraws from Australian Open due to injury

Rafa Nadal.

Credit: X/@RafaelNadal

Rafa Nadal will miss the Australian Open this month after the Spaniard suffered a small muscle tear during his comeback from a long injury at the Brisbane International last week, the 22-times Grand Slam champion said on Sunday.

"Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in five sets matches. I'm flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest," Nadal said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.