Rafael Nadal is unsure if he will compete at the upcoming Australian Open after his defeat to Jordan Thompson in the Brisbane International quarter-finals on Friday, during which the Spaniard left the court on a medical timeout.
Nadal was making his comeback in Brisbane after spending almost a year on the sidelines with a hip injury, sustained during his second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in last year’s Australian Open.
The 37-year-old, winner of 22 Grand Slams, did not compete again last season after having surgery in June, and was using the Brisbane International as a warm-up for the Australian Open which begins on January 14.
“I hope I can train next week and play the Australian Open, but I’m not 100 per cent sure,” Nadal said after his 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 defeat.
Nadal, however, did not wish to make excuses or play down his opponent’s achievement.
“What matters now is that I’ve been able to play three matches in Brisbane. My opponent played very well and you have to give him credit,” the Spaniard said.
“I don’t think it’s the time to talk about that [degree of pain during the match]. I have to leave satisfied and congratulate the opponent. We’ll see how I wake up tomorrow and the day after.”
Nadal said the pain is in the left hip, which caused him to miss so much time away from the court, but it may not be the same issue.
“The pain is in the same place, but I feel like it’s a bit more muscular because of the tiredness,” he said.
“Last season it was the tendon and the feeling was completely different because I felt it a lot more. Today I didn’t feel anything, what happens is that being the same place you get more scared.”
Nadal has won the Australian Open twice, in 2009 and 2022, and is still hopeful of making this year’s tournament, but does not expect to be challenging for the title.
“I hope it’s just that I have a strong muscle after several days of playing and a tough match like this with Thompson,” Nadal said.
“I already said that my goal was to be competitive in a couple of months.”
When to watch Saturday’s semi finals in Brisbane live on Sky Sports
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Strange noises from the local surroundings as to the chaos of an engrossing final point as Rafael Nadal is knocked out of the Brisbane International by Jordan Thompson
After conquering Nadal, Thompson will now face Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals on Saturday from 10.30am UK time, with the latter having knocked out Andy Murray earlier in the tournament
The first semi-final will see top seed Holger Rune take on Roman Safiullin, with the match scheduled for 5am.
In the women’s semi-finals, Elena Rybakina plays Linda Noskova at 3am, with a clash between Grand Slam champions at 8.30am when Aryna Sabalenka goes up against Victoria Azarenka.
All matches are live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena.
Watch the conclusion of the Brisbane International this weekend, and the ATP and WTA Tours throughout 2024, on Sky Sports. Stream tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership
