Top analyst discusses impact of Rafael Nadal missing Australian Open as he makes clay-court claim
Alex Corretja has declared that withdrawing from the 2024 Australian Open due to injury “doesn’t have to affect” Rafael Nadal mentally if the great Spaniard recovers.
The former world No 2 believes that Nadal discovered by playing in Brisbane that he is “more or less where he wanted to be” and feels his injury problems may “have less impact” on clay.
Nadal fell to a three-set defeat to world No 55 Jordan Thompson at the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane on Friday in a quarter-final marathon lasting three hours and 24 minutes.
In his first two singles matches in his comeback tournament, Nadal comfortably saw off Dominic Thiem (7-5, 6-1) and Jason Kubler (6-1, 6-2) with impressive performances.
The 37-year-old had looked set to secure another victory against Thompson to book his place in the semi-finals, but he was unable to convert the three match points he had in the second set.
The Mallorcan legend left the court to receive treatment when trailing 1-4 in the deciding set, having appeared to feel his hip area between points.
Prior to Brisbane, Nadal had not competed since losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open due to a hip injury. The former world No 1 underwent arthroscopic surgery to treat the psoas muscle in his hip in June last year.
Nadal has since announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Australian Open, which will begin in Melbourne on Sunday January 14.
“During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried,” the former world No 1 explained.
“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.
“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.
“Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season.”
Speaking to Eurosport, Corretja argued that Nadal’s early setback was understandable and suggested playing on clay will likely be more favourable to his body.
“It’s certainly a setback that could happen. After so many months without competing, it is logical that muscularly you may feel some discomfort,” the two-time French Open runner-up said.
“The important thing is that it is not in the place where the big injury was made, that would be something to take into account and would perhaps be more worrying. I believe at the moment that if Rafa recovers, it doesn’t have to affect him mentally.
“He has realised that his level has grown, that he is back to more or less where he wanted to be and now the only thing we have to hope is that he can recover, play a few more days and return to compete in the tournaments that he wants.
“I think for clay it’s maybe where his problems would have less impact and where he’s going to feel the best. Let’s see what happens, but it’s clear that for all the people who had created this expectation it’s a shame.”
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